In a surprising move, the Denver Broncos have decided to bench quarterback Russell Wilson for the remainder of the season, with plans to release the veteran QB in the offseason. Head coach Sean Payton emphasized that the decision was driven by the team's desperate desire to win and to provide an offensive spark. Wilson will now serve as the backup to Jarrett Stidham in Week 17, starting with the upcoming game against the Chargers.

The Broncos' decision to turn to Stidham is reportedly not influenced by financial considerations, according to CBS Sports HQ Senior NFL insider Josina Anderson. However, speculation has arisen regarding Wilson's future in Denver beyond the 2023 season, as he had been coy about discussing it recently. The team seems to have strategically benched Wilson to avoid any potential injury that could complicate releasing him seamlessly after the season.

Coach Payton explained the move, stating, "We're desperately trying to win. The No. 1 push behind this, and it's a decision I'm making, is to provide a spark offensively. Obviously, it's difficult, and all of us feel like 'man, we didn't do well enough,' but one of the things we saw when we signed Stidham in the offseason, not only from preseason games but regular-season games, is that he's a guy I'm excited to see play. If I didn't feel like he gave us the chance to win, we wouldn't be making that move."

Recent reports suggest that Wilson is anticipating being cut by the Broncos in March, with rumors circulating that he has known about his fate within the organization for nearly two months. The Broncos had reached out to Wilson's representatives in late October regarding deferring the injury guarantee trigger date that he has for 2025, which entails a guaranteed $37 million on the fifth day of the league year.

While Wilson made improvements from his erratic 2022 Broncos debut, recording 26 touchdowns, eight interceptions, and a 98.0 passer rating, Denver's offense overall has struggled. The team ranks No. 16 in scoring and No. 25 in yards per game. Additionally, Wilson's lofty contract, valued at $245 million, will count $35.4 million against the 2024 salary cap.

It appears that Coach Payton and Denver's ownership may already be considering a reset at the quarterback position. Despite Wilson's improvement this season, at 35 years old and commanding a significant salary, there may be a desire for a fresh start. The team does have the option to part ways with Wilson after the 2023 season, albeit without significant immediate financial savings.

The details of Wilson's contract reveal that he is currently signed through 2028, but his guaranteed money only extends through 2024. Therefore, Denver is likely to make a decision on his future before the start of the next league year on March 17. The Broncos can choose to release Wilson outright, but this would result in a loss of $49.6 million in 2024. Designating him as a post-June 1 release is a more feasible option, as it would allow the team to eat Wilson's 2024 salary while avoiding a blow to the 2024 cap. This approach would result in no immediate savings but would provide financial relief beyond 2024.

Trading Wilson seems less likely due to the financial implications it would have for the Broncos' 2024 cap. However, there is a possibility that his improved performance this year could attract interest from other NFL teams. If a trade were to occur after June 1, Denver could save $17 million, making it the best-case financial scenario, but it would require waiting until the summer to find a trade partner.

Another crucial factor in this decision is Wilson's health for the remainder of the 2023 season. Injured players cannot be released without a negotiated injury settlement, which explains the Broncos' choice to bench Wilson for the final two games. This resembles the situation with former Raiders starter Derek Carr, who had a similar injury guarantee in his contract and was also benched before eventually being released.

As the regular season draws to a close, all eyes will be on the Broncos' quarterback situation and what moves they will make during the offseason. The decision to bench Wilson and turn to Stidham reflects Denver's determination to find success on the field and potentially usher in a new era under center.