What next for Russell Wilson? Patriots, Raiders and other NFL teams are eligible for 2024

Russell Wilson’s ride with the Denver Broncos may be over.

Multiple league sources confirmed Wednesday that the Broncos will start at quarterback for their final two games and start Jarrett Stidham. Denver (7-8) hosts the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday and visits the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 18. Wilson will be the No. 2 quarterback, a team source said.

Wilson expects so March cut offper The Athleticsby Dianna Russini. That would be just two years after the Broncos traded two first-round picks, two second-round picks, three players and more to Seattle for the quarterback, a nine-time Pro Bowler with the Seahawks.

Wilson has thrown for 3,070 yards with 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions this season, his first under head coach Sean Payton, but his contract is an issue. Wilson has $39 million guaranteed through 2024. He has $37 million in injury guarantees that will become fully guaranteed if he is still on the roster by the fifth day of the 2024 league year that starts in March.

What does this mean for Wilson in 2024? If the Broncos cut him, who might have need and interest? We identified four teams — the Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots and Washington Commanders — that could be in the mix for Wilson, who turned 35 last month and is about to complete his 12th season in the NFL.

The Athletics‘s beat writers for those teams weighed in on why Wilson might be a fit, and why he might not.

Las Vegas Raiders

Why Wilson could be a good fit: The only way this would make sense for the Raiders is if Wilson is released. They need to find a way to move on from their own high-priced backup quarterback – Jimmy Garoppolo – this season. They will therefore incur a significant cash grab and will have no interest in taking on Wilson’s salary. That said, Wilson has been solid this year: He ranks 10th in completion percentage, 16th in passing yards, ranks sixth in passing touchdowns and has thrown just eight interceptions in 15 games. He’s no longer a Pro Bowl level player, but he’s still a starting-caliber quarterback. If he’s willing to sign cheap and the Raiders aren’t able to draft their quarterback of the future, it might make sense to sign him to compete with Aidan O’Connell for the starting job.

Why he might not: The Raiders really, really, really need to draft their quarterback of the future this season. After moving on from Derek Carr and soon doing the same with Garoppolo, they need to get off the aging veteran quarterback treadmill and reset their timeline. O’Connell has done well given the circumstances since taking over from Garoppolo, but it doesn’t look like he should be the long-term option. The best way for the Raiders to find that player is through the draft, not by adding a declining veteran quarterback. — Tashan Reed, Raiders beat writer

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Minnesota Vikings

Why Wilson could be a good fit: This feels like a kind of Hail Mary, which, considering Wilson is the subject, seems appropriate. The Vikings’ quarterback plans for 2024 are uncertain as Kirk Cousins’ contract expires at the end of the season and he will likely have many suitors. If Cousins ​​signs elsewhere, the Vikings could go after a top talent in the draft. In that situation, they would probably sign a bridge quarterback to give that youngster a chance to develop. If released, Wilson will fit into that category, along with other mid- and lower-tier options.

Why he might not: Returning cousins ​​would end this discussion immediately. But even if he leaves, one wonders whether Wilson’s asking price would make sense. For example, Garoppolo signed a three-year, $72.5 million contract with the Raiders in March. Wilson is older, but he also has more talent. Let’s say he wanted a two-year, $40 million deal. The Vikings, who would likely draft a QB in Cousins’ absence, probably wouldn’t want to pay that kind of money for a short-term answer. Additionally, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell values ​​accuracy in the middle of the field and wide-field vision in his QBs. While Wilson has performed statistically this season, those qualities are in question, which is why the Broncos benched him in the first place. — Alec Lewis, Vikings beat writer

New England Patriots

Why Wilson could be a good fit: The short answer is that the Patriots will need a quarterback in 2024, after the end of the Mac Jones era. It’s not yet clear who will make the key decisions for the team this season, but Bill Belichick praised Wilson before their game last weekend, won by the Patriots. If Belichick is still around, he could be interested in a quick fix plan rather than a rebuild, potentially making Wilson an option in New England.

Why maybe not him: If the Patriots end up with a top-two pick, there would be a lot of reasons to take advantage and have a quarterback on a rookie contract. It’s also worth noting that Wilson is 35 and may not fit into the Patriots’ hopes of finding a long-term quarterback this season, especially if Belichick doesn’t make the decisions moving forward. — Chad Graff, Patriots beat writer

Washington commanders

Why Wilson could be a good fit: Jacoby Brissett on Sunday becomes Washington’s 36th starting quarterback since 1993. That sad story means all options must be considered. For the right price – i.e. salary; I can’t see Washington’s trade choices – Wilson could be seen as a viable option if the franchise is looking for a quick turnaround and a big-name player.

Why he might not: Further proof that time is a flat circle, coach Ron Rivera attempted to trade for Wilson in 2022, but Wilson had no interest whatsoever in joining the Commanders circus led by owner Dan Snyder. With Snyder out – and Rivera likely leaving after this season – would Russ want to cook in the nation’s capital? Even if he did, it’s unlikely the commanders would be interested. New decision makers will determine the depth of any rebuild, but it’s clear the holes in Washington go beyond the quarterback. If the Commanders retain pick No. 3 in the draft, they could potentially select a highly touted candidate. Brissett, a 2024 free agent, provides a cleaner veteran who could be paired with a draft pick or Sam Howell. — Ben Standig

(Photo: Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

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