Michael Penix’ says Goodbye as he confirm this was his last season as he is going to…

The Russell Wilson era in Denver isn’t over yet.

Despite benching Wilson with two weeks left in the season, Sean Payton and George Paton were both adamant at the end-of-season press conference that the door is open for Wilson to return.

“The door remains open with ‘Russ,’” Paton stated after the season. “I’ve had good conversations with Russ, and Sean has had good conversations. The door is open.”

In fact, Wilson has even told Paton he is open to returning.

What would have to happen for No. 3 to be back in Orange & Blue next season?

The DNVR Broncos Crew breaks

What has to happen for Russell Wilson to return to the Broncos?

Zac: Russ takes a massive pay cut — This would not be a restructure, this would be a pay cut.

If Russell Wilson is willing to take a massive discount, then there could be a path for him to return as the team’s starting quarterback in 2024.

Unfortunately, there is no perfect scenario for the Broncos when it comes to Wilson.

If they simply cut him, the dead cap they would have from Wilson’s deal would be record setting in a crippling way. Even Paton admitted it would be “extreme.”

However, if they keep him, regardless of if it’s on his current deal—which it won’t be—or a pay cut, then Payton will be working with a quarterback that he doesn’t believe can run his offense. That’s certainly not ideal.

But Wilson taking a significant pay cut could be the best of all of the options.

The only issue is with so much guaranteed money still owed to him, he has barely any incentive to take a massive pay cut.

That’s why it’s unlikely to happen, but not impossible.

Henry: Russ is gone — The Broncos owe Russell Wilson $39 million in 2024.

That’s a lot of money. Denver needs to give it to him, whether he’s on the team or not. He can sit on the couch and make the same amount of money as if he put his body through another NFL season. Or he can take a cheap deal to play somewhere else.

Wilson can say he wants to stay in Denver, but how could that be true? The team has had seven consecutive losing seasons. The coach benched him. The front office asked him to change his contract.

Wouldn’t a fresh start with a new team be a gift? There’s no reason for Wilson to take less money and stay in Denver.

RK: Nothing can happen — I can’t believe this is a conversation. Don’t be fooled by the save-face marathon from both sides going on in the media. Sean Payton doesn’t like Russ, Russ isn’t happy in Denver, Broncos fans are out on Russ, the team saves money by cutting Russ, let’s not overthink this. It’s over.

The Russell Wilson era is over and it’s a shame the way it went. There’s plenty of blame to go around but I’ll look back o0n Nathaniel Hackett’s aimless offense as the main culprit. Once the wheels came off of that wagon, Russ’ reputation in Denver became irreparable.

While Wilson has always been a great teammate, he’s not cut out to be a backup quarterback and Sean Payton wan’t to go another direction. Fin.