Steelers Emerge As New Favorites In Odds For Russell Wilson’s Next Team, Broncos In The Mix
Russell Wilson has experienced a decline in performance since joining the Denver Broncos in 2022.
He was traded to the Broncos after playing for the Seattle Seahawks throughout his career.
However, it seems that Wilson’s time with the Broncos is coming to an end.
The team is expected to release him, resulting in a significant amount of dead cap money.
The odds now favor Wilson joining the Pittsburgh Steelers, with a 71.4% probability, according to DraftKings.
Reports suggest that there is internal disagreement within the Steelers on the best choice for their quarterback position, leading them to consider outside options like Wilson.
Despite his struggles with the Broncos, Wilson would still be an upgrade for many teams, including the Patriots, Vikings, Raiders, and Falcons, who are also interested in pursuing him.
The Steelers, Raiders, and Falcons are the frontrunners, with the Broncos still having a chance if they can negotiate a restructured contract.
However, Wilson’s recent actions, such as listing his Denver house for sale and conflicts with the head coach, indicate that staying with the Broncos is unlikely.
Other teams, such as the Commanders, Titans, Giants, Panthers, and Buccaneers, are considered longshots. A reunion with the Seahawks is now unlikely since they have chosen to retain Geno Smith.
RUSSELL WILSON NEXT TEAM ODDS
Pittsburgh Steelers (-250)
Las Vegas Raiders (+550)
Atlanta Falcons (+650)
Denver Broncos (+750)
New England Patriots (+850)
Minnesota Vikings (+1000)
Washington Commanders (+1200)
Tennessee Titans (+3000)
New York Giants (+3500)
Carolina Panthers (+4000)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+4000)
Seattle Seahawks (+6000)
New Orleans Saints (+6000)
(Odds by DraftKings Sportsbook as of Tuesday, Feb. 20)
READ MORE:
Broncos Termed ‘Best Fit’ for Pro Bowl ILB Patrick Queen
With top impending free agent Josey Jewell likely to be playing elsewhere in 2024, the Denver Broncos will jot down inside linebacker on its ever-expanding list of offseason needs. But the same place they’re losing Jewell to — the NFL’s open market — is where they can find his replacement, according to ESPN’s Matt Bowen, who pegged Denver as the “best team fit” for Baltimore Ravens free-agent ILB Patrick Queen. “With Josey Jewell hitting free agency, the Broncos could opt to replace him with Queen, who can clean up in the run game, drop in coverage and create pressure on blitz stunts,” Bowen wrote Tuesday. “In addition to 133 tackles, Queen chipped in 3.5 sacks and 18 pressures last season in Baltimore. He would bring a physical and productive presence to the middle of the Denver defense.”
he 28th overall pick of the 2020 draft, Queen is fresh off a breakout season in Baltimore, tying for the club lead with 84 solo tackles to go along with nine tackles for loss, six quarterback hits, six pass deflections, and one forced fumble. He was voted to the Pro Bowl and named second-team All-Pro.
As Bowen mentioned, Queen is a three-down boon both in run support and coverage. The 6-foot, 230-pound defender graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 24 linebacker among 82 qualifiers — 17 spots higher than Jewell. Queen, 24, would instantly upgrade the middle of Vance Joseph’s defense, and the Broncos would no doubt love to splurge on him. But as with many of the Tier-One free agents … they really can’t. Queen is projected to score a lucrative deal in the neighborhood of $18.5 million per year, according to Spotrac, making him the league’s third-highest-paid ILB. A luxury rather than a necessity, and the Broncos are in no position for the former.
Such is life for an organization nearly $26 million over the salary cap — and that’s before they possibly swallow an unprecedented $85 million in dead cap by releasing quarterback Russell Wilson. Denver earlier this week re-signed ILB Jonas Griffith, who joins Alex Singleton and Drew Sanders as the only off-ball ‘backers under contract for 2024.
