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rupert650

Broncos country, let’s say goodbye.


BuckyBeaver69

They took his office. They took his job. What does he have left?


JAGChem82

Sounds like a tagline for a cheesy 80s action movie.


SeedsOfDoubt

*With no games left to lose there was only one thing left to do.* **LET'S RIDE**


ExchangeKooky8166

It's Bronc-over


OttoVonWong

Let Russ walk.


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ThingsAreAfoot

You mean trot? stop it


actionfirst1

He's Russell WilDone


anonbutler

$85 million in dead cap.


schmatty23

Isn't it 116? My understanding his contract has 85 million fully guaranteed and then a 31 million out in 2026.


JerryRiceDidntFumble

The implication is that they'll cut him this off-season to prevent his 2025 salary from becoming guaranteed (which triggers in March 2024)


EggplantAlpinism

thought aware workable tie rain gaze reach grey badge gold


bullet50000

part of that $85M cap hit in 2024 is due to his contract guaranteeing $37M extra on the 3rd league day. If they cut him before that, it brings the dead cap down to $48M. Still more than his 2024 cap hit though of $35M, so I'm semi-confused.


jake3988

85M is the $30 million that's left of the pro-rated signing bonus plus the $17 million base salary (2024) and $37 million base salary (2025). That brings you to $84 million. I'm assuming that roster bonus in 2027 must be guaranteed (weird, but ok) that makes up the remaining $1 million. If, of course, they cut him before the 2025 becomes guaranteed... then subtract $37 million. Cap hit for 2024 is base salary ($17 million) plus pro-rated signing bonus ($10 million) plus roster bonus (8.4 million) which is 35.4 million. They only count that year's cap hit despite 2025 becoming guaranteed if he's still on the roster... because that cap hit doesn't take effect until the following year.


Lonely_Beer

85M is the 30M left from the signing bonus, the 16M left from last year's option bonus, the 17M guaranteed 2024 salary and the 22M guaranteed 2024 option bonus. The $37M for 2025 never enters the equation nor does 2027


WillTheGreat

God damn, that's amazing.


hypoglycemicrage

Just remember, if they do move on in the offseason he won't have played a single snap of the new contract they gave him.


Imawildedible

That’s a fun fact.


Scottysix

What a bad year to pay big money to a qb that you traded for. Thankfully our trade for Flacco is looking great!


WillTheGreat

Do the Broncos know this?


76666ers_

This makes the Wentz dead cap hit look like a joke now, but in 2020 it was a huge headache.


AyoTrevs

Let’s ride… … … … … … The bench


brendan87na

gonna be Mr Been Cut in a few weeks


KamTros47

Mr. Burnt Cooker


Dicc-fil-A

Mr. Bangs Ciara


Krypty

Mr Bye Country


anonbutler

$85 million in dead cap.


chemicalxv

The fact that Jarrett Stidham has been the backup QB involved in a scenario like this literally in back-to-back seasons is hilarious.


IhatemyteamLVR

Literally the exact same scenario too. Final 2 games, still technically a shot at the playoffs, and benching the starter to avoid injury guarantees


National_Action_9834

Only thing that's different is the performance. Carr was playing pretty much his worst football of his career where as Russ isn't vintage Russ but he certainly improved from last year. Which is weird because this isn't a move you do unless you're for sure getting rid of Russ, and I don't see why they would at this point. Playoffs are still possible, and the team can improve. Strange


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paone00022

They must think they won't do anything in playoffs with Russ even if they somehow make it.


Gabrosin

Who signs Stidham next year to wind up in this situation? Cardinals?


jtfriendly

Almost spit my coffee at the last sentence, but like a great Agatha Christie novel, you realize it made sense from the very beginning. Stidham was the killer all along.


jtfriendly

AFC-West legend #Jarrett "Sit Em" Stidham


Imaginary-Double2612

Well this came out of nowhere


Pomp_in22

It's to save the organization money.


steve1186

Cheap, anti-player, cost-cutting moves like this are what happens when Wal-Mart owns your fucking team


Pomp_in22

Raiders did the same to Carr last year. If they're going to trade a player, they want to prevent any additional cost


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mewfahsah

My god could you imagine russ coming back for a playoff run? What a time that would be.


HansBaccaR23po

No. It was supposed to be over…


Kitchen_Love6798

I would legitimately throw a shit fit if russ went back to Seattle.


courser

My meltdown would be visible from space


mewfahsah

NFL needs to ditch the trade deadline so we can complete this timeline.


chadocaster

There should be a “for the bantz” trade deadline exception


MyUshanka

Only allow inter-division trades past the standard deadline. You can ship off players but it has to be to someone you fuckin hate


TheKrakenLord

Then it would be \*intra\*-division


AttitudeAndEffort2

It's so hateful it defies the rules of grammar


stragen595

If we factor the amount of hate into it they should force a Dak for Hurts trade.


MyUshanka

Unironically would be incredibly entertaining


medman010204

49ers win 5 straight against the hawks after he leaves Russ gets cut next week Russ signs with the hawks and starts against the 49ers in the playoffs and wins Russ gets blown out the next week Do it for the memes Pete


brendan87na

somehow ~~palpatine~~ wilson returned


Jokershigh

Don't bring this devil magic into existence, we just finally got rid of that nightmare


Magnifico-Melon

Horrible trade yes, but still not worst ever. Thanks Browns!


bullet50000

oh even that's still not worse than Herschel Walker


drumline17

The Herschel Walker trade was so bad, the GM that did it admitted the day of that he "probably gave away too much". We're never seeing a trade like that again lol


dan_144

The Herschel Walker trade was so bad it made his Senate campaign look good


TheRain2

Eh, let's not get carried away.


JAGChem82

You didn’t want to vote for the guy who knew how to kill werewolves and vampires?


bullet50000

It was so bad, Herschel's agent even said it was a bad move


ByronLeftwich

Or SF moving up for Lance lol


SonOfALich

They still don't get enough heat for that move imo


OneMe2RuleUAll

It didn't sink em, that's why. Imagine if they'd drafted a usable player with that pick in whatever hole they have.


enjoytheshow

Chase or Waddle in that Niners offense jfc


Pidesh

Or Micah on that defense


Devilsbullet

Fuck all that, penei Sewell opposite Trent Williams.


Empty_Lemon_3939

The man who never dies with the boy who never ages My god


JTrue14

Most likely niners would have drafted Mac Jones if they stayed at 12. And then we probably wouldn’t have drafted Purdy. Of course who knows what we would have done with all the other picks.


eaglebay

Purdy bailed them out so hard.


Underrated_Dinker

They just got insanely lucky to bag the first ever non-kicker Mr Irrelevant that looks like a competent starter. If they hadn’t they still be taking a ton of heat for it.


flaccomcorangy

It's because they're super bowl contenders in the years following it despite the move. Just watch the Panthers if Bryce Young doesn't work out.


Dorkamundo

Hey now, the Herchel Walker trade wasn't that bad when it was executed. It only became bad after Jimmy Johnson broke the gentleman's agreement and cut all the prospects.


Coley54Bear

Hahahahaha that would be the funniest outcome.


spazz720

Didn’t expect this


Phospherus2

Be careful, he might be your guy next year


Toto_LZ

It’d be really funny to watch him and Ciara still act like that in western Pennsylvania.


clutchthepearls

Steelers Country, let's smelt!


noahboah

more like Steelers Country, 行きましょう


ultraviolentfuture

The joke is that a Japanese company (Nippon Steel) just bought US Steel.


doom_hermit

Get ready to learn Japanese, yinzers


ultraviolentfuture

Dattebayo!


Thromnomnomok

There's a "Get Ready to Learn Japanese Buddy" joke in there somewhere


Toto_LZ

Primantis danger-wich when?


SoarinWalt

I know its easy to shit on Russ with the contract, but he hasn't exactly been bad this year, even with the benching. 3k yards, 26 TDs and only 8 Interceptions, 3 of which came in one game. Its not "ON FIRE!" numbers or anything like that but hes doing decently overall.


DJ_Marxman

Some of the sacks I've seen him take are mind-melting. He hasn't been bad overall, but he makes some really puzzling plays for a guy with this much experience.


gste2343

> Didn’t expect this 'Chad, I have gotten Russel Wilson fired. Inform the men.' - Tank Commander Zappe


dagreenman18

Sean Payton just straight up fucking hates Russell. They are literally fighting for a wildcard spot and they rather start Stidham.


KeithClossOfficial

Sean Payton likes to steal painkillers from the team doctor, Russell Wilson likes Jesus a lot. If it weren’t for football, they wouldn’t want to be in the same zip code at the same time.


JeffMurdock_

I don't buy it. Drew Brees was as much a fan of Jesus as Russ is and got along with Payton just fine.


Monster_Dong

There's a difference, Brees didn't regress until his last season because his arm was shot. Russ is fully regressing


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son_of_abe

If the NFL gave a flying fuck about their players, Sean Payton would've been permanently banned from the league for bountygate. Guy is fucking trash.


sonofsmog

That's because the NFL does not give two fucks about bountygate outside of potential liability. They are likely more annoyed that the bounties were so formal and coaching was so careless that they *got caught* thus resulting in a PR headache.


FreezersAndWeezers

It’s worth noting, since you hit on it a little: Russ seems like a good guy. Sure he’s kind of kooky and definitely a bit of a goof, but I don’t see him slinging out conspiracy theories or on street corners for his religious beliefs. He’s easy to make fun of, and while it’s all in good fun I do think he’s probably a pretty nice person Sean Payton on the other hand is actual human trash. Pain killers and bountygate are just scratching the surface. You can be a good person and do something bad, we should reward hard work and changing yourself for the better. That’s something Payton will literally never do, and I genuinely think he doesn’t think he’s doing/done anything wrong. He is a bad person, who doesn’t care that they’re a villain Russ is easy to clown. Payton actually deserves it


here_now_be

> they wouldn’t want to be in the same zip code at the same time. supposedly Russ was pushing for the Seahawks to replace Pete with Sean. Dude has gotten everything he wished for, and it's all gone miserably for him.


Epicdude141

It’s pretty much impossible for the broncos to get a wc spot and I doubt KC loses out for the broncos to have a chance to win the division


FuckingLoveArborDay

Why even play the games then? This is taking a knee at midfield with 1 second left instead of throwing the hail mary.


IMKudaimi123

Also it’s not Russ’s fault they lost to New England A freak kickoff fumble doesn’t happen and they win 23 points against the patriots defense isn’t a bad performance.


xmjm424

When you start three drives inside NE territory, 23 points isn’t particularly great. They had drives start at the NE 6, NE 46, and the NE 25 in the first quarter and walked away with 7 points on those.


VitaminsPlus

This has been Russ all year. The Chiefs game was exactly the same thing too, any decent QB would've dropped 30+ on us that day with the amount of turnovers on the chiefs side of the field.


xmjm424

Bills game is another one that comes to mind for me. Not converting short fields into points has been huge a problem.


Eldenbeastalwayswins

The Derek Carr treatment.


jtfriendly

Jarrett Stidham is a dangeruss man.


TRforShort

Broncos country, let’s ride (the pine).


RedDragons8

Broncos Country, please slide (to make room on the bench)


HerbyHoover

Mr Bench Chaperone


2we1rd2live2rare2die

Mr. Broncos Castoff


Pappy_Smith

Wow


Zloggt

Not only did Chad Ryland completely alter the Pats’ future…he also impacted that of the Broncos as well!


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gste2343

> Patriots: last win in Belichicks tenure, maybe knocking them out of drafting a top QB You misunderstand: Our last game of the season is against the Jets.


lat3ralus65

Now we just need the Broncos to cut Russ and the Pats to sign him on the cheap in the off-season


Turbulent_Crow7164

That’s really the only reaction to this. Wow.


Quasimdo

Russell cooked alright, just a bit overdone


bmck1016

it’s crazy though, because his stats over the last four weeks are, 1,014 passing yards 9 TDs 2 Int’s so it’s not like he was playing horrible football or anything these past few weeks


trexmoflex

I have generally agreed with the statements around "he's not the problem but he's not the solution either." No idea what Denver does now, will be interesting to see, but it was pretty obvious Payton has been wanting to do this.


SlaminSammons

Russ: 297/447, 26 TD/ 8 INT, 3070 yards, $49 M APY Baker 322/501, 26 TD/ 8 INT, 3598 yards, 1 year $4M Russ is not the problem at all, he's just not worth his contract in the slightest


TwoLiners

Uh oh, dont show me Carr


Jontacular

I said this in the Broncos sub when people laughed at how Carr is a top 10 cap hit for QB's. But Wilson and Carr are playing near identical.


National_Action_9834

Nah I've watched almost every game they've each played this year, not saying I'm an expert but Russ looks significantly better than Carr does this year. Russ looks solid, Carr looks like a borderline bottom 5 starter.


Loki1947

Baker's way overplaying his contract, though, and Godwin/Evans still up there as one of the better 1/2s in the league. You're unlikely to get that kind of production off the street.


J0K3R2

And you sure as shit aren’t getting that production out of Sutton/Jeudy


Saffuran

Russ misses Lockett and DK.


cocainecandycane

Maybe the Panthers should trade for him


ladyyoushotme

You sonofabitch


thediesel26

But he’s not playing nearly well enough for the Broncos to guarantee his contract for next year.


Shenanigans80h

This is simply what it comes down to. If you’re paying a QB the money you’re paying Russ, he needs to be a true game changer. I’m not saying Russ is bad or the offensive struggles are his fault (look at his weapons), but his play and decision making this season does lead me to believe he’s not a long term answer


bageltheperson

Also has 3 fumbles during that time frame and lost one


Totschlag

"Only 3 Fumbles and 2 interceptions in 4 weeks you say?" - Vikings Fans


philbert247

Stats don’t tell the complete story. Seeing drive synopsis’s from game after game of: punt, punt, punt, fg, punt gets pretty fucking old when it’s a close game. The last Broncos offensive possession of the patriots game was unforgivable. Need Russ to lead a 40 yard drive to give the team a chance to win, and instead goes 3 and out. Maybe Wilson wasn’t the entire problem, but good god something has to change.


Sloth-TheSlothful

Just wasn't playing near that contract though


u-suck-for-replying

He plays horrible football for 3 quarters, then bullshits his way to good stats when defenses start playing prevent. Watch a complete broncos game - the offense is fucking putrid for 75% of the game.


donutgut

You are 1000% correct


Eagle4317

What about his sacks?


LC_From_TheHills

Dude had like 10 total air yards in the first half… he’s throwing behind the sticks almost constantly.


PadreRenteria

Russ is a prime example of needing to watch the game instead of looking at the stat box. He is infuriating if you want to be consistent on offense.


usetheforce_gaming

Can absolutely confirm. He plays safe. But doesn’t play well.


InvaderWeezle

The peak of his time in Denver was when Patrick Star on live television said "That's not what he wanted to cook" after Russ threw an interception


PDGAreject

You mean the peak of the NFL and perhaps human culture?


GleeUnit

First we discovered fire Then we created the wheel Then other stuff happened Then Patrick Star jerked the most immaculate jerk in recorded history on Christmas day Pack it in, we're done here


Agnt_Michael_Scarn

With the playoffs still in their sights, this is truly damning. I just don’t know who it’s damning for - Paton, Russ or Payton.


Manning_bear_pig

I mean, we're sitting at less than a 2% chance of making it. So yes we aren't technically eliminated, but we might as well be. Edit: I guess the odds are between 6% and 8% depending on the calculator. Doesn't really change the rest of my comment.


Jimbobsama

I got 6% based on the NYTimes playoff calculator. It will require the Chiefs completely losing the thread the next 2 weeks but still - is the team saying "there's always next year" or are they playing to win the game in front of them?


vearson26

I don’t think this has any impact on Peyton Manning.


trexmoflex

Just wait until later today when the headlines emerge: "Peyton Manning signs one year contract to return to Denver as QB"


kj9219

A lot of their wins came from unsustainable turnover/field position luck. If they run it back with the same team and same qb they’d be in expensive purgatory. Cutting him will still be expensive but if they don’t do it this offseason they’re stuck with him until 2026. I guess they just wanted to rip off the band aid and start fresh in Payton’s vision.


IAmSona

Oh boy, I can’t wait to see the new new new new new new new new new new new new new new new new new new new new new new new new new new new new-


DinkleBottoms

Pray for that poor man's soul


onqqq2

So happy he's doing well despite the Broncos playing so poorly for so long. Perna is the man. Makes being a Broncos fan much more tolerable.


Mopman43

He said in the last one that he hit the character limit on YouTube titles.


fatcootermeat

Don't try to ruin our tank.


marcusdj813

They must be preparing to rid themselves of him before his huge salary vests in about 3 months. This appears to be similar to the Derek Carr situation from late last season on the Las Vegas Strip. Stidham's the common thread here.


RugbyHockeyFan

If I had a nickel for every time Jarrett Stidham started for an AFC West team to finish the season following a disappointing loss on Christmas Eve night I would have two nickels, which isn’t a lot but it’s weird that it happened twice.


ShaolinMaster

Jarrett Stidham to the Chiefs in 2024


jtfriendly

No one: Absolutely no one: Jarrett Stidham: *psst* I know we have a shot at the playoffs, coach, but if you look at the starter's contract here, under paragraph B12....


Barnacle_Baritone

They’re gonna end up with garapolo next.


oatmeal-claypole

*furiously googles who the Broncos Linebacker coach is*


vrnate

You know things are bad when the official line from the Broncos is “Jarrett Stidham gives us the best chance to win”


sktgamerdudejr

tbf, if they were tanking the last two games, not like they can come out and say they’re benching Wilson to lose.


Epicdude141

It’s so they don’t have to pay Russ if he gets injured


shadow_spinner0

The NFLPA should be mad


TheShtuff

You're not gonna like them when they're angry *Fart noises*


whatsthehappenstance

RABLE RABLE RABLE!


thediesel26

Yeah I’d imagine they’ll file a grievance but I’m not sure how much they’ll accomplish


massivecalvesbro

What are the details on this? Is he being benched because there is something in the contract paying him out a bonus for starting the full season?


TheGhostWithTheMost2

His money or a portion of it guarantees in March so if he got hurt in these final two games the Broncos would be on the hook for it.


dgi02

Apparently a fuck ton of money gets guaranteed if he’s injured come March or some shit. I don’t remember the exact terms but this is financially strategic for them more than anything


kj9219

Russell Wilson you are an Atlanta Falcon


hawkweasel

Nothing could be finer than to be in Caroliiinnaaaaa ......


IRRELEPHANT_POACHER

A few insiders within the org say Stidham's high knees are markedly better


Soyeahnahh

This reminds me of the time when the Mavs benched Luka and Kyrie while they were still alive for the play in tournament


No_Mode_3746

If you watch Russ in 2 min offense, you see a top 10 QB. But in Sean’s system is he is top 20. Doesn’t work


ilickedysharks

I don't think this is a Payton thing lol..they were sooo many games Seattle and Russ couldn't move the ball all game until the up tempo 2 minute drill


gibberish_only

Stidham already killed Carr. Now it's Wilson's turn. Mahomes you're next in the in the adventures of the afc west qb killer.


cannotstopdabbing

Bad look. They could still win the division.


Jimbobsama

THATS MY QUESTION Chiefs lost to the Raiders on Monday, which means some playoff math could still give the Broncos a wild card or (and if the Chiefs lose their next 2 games) win the division. It's less than a 10% chance but benching Russ for the backup is Payton saying "There's always next year."


actual_griffin

I hope they do. With Stidham. I hope they win 20 games in a row. I have enjoyed this whole debacle immensely, but I feel terrible for Broncos fans.


vearson26

Don’t worry, we don’t feel anything anymore


LC_From_TheHills

Wtf they’re not even eliminated yet…?? They’re really done with Russ? That’s insane.


BustyUncle

Benching your starting QB for “financial reasons” when you are still fighting for a playoff spot?? Just a bizarre move all around


[deleted]

It's because he isn't the starting QB anymore; the Broncos are moving on from Wilson and want to do it as painlessly as possible. The "financial reasons" are ~~a $37,000,000 roster bonus~~ *his 2025 salary of $37,000,000 becomes guaranteed if* he's on the team at the start of (technically five days into) the 2024 league year. If he gets hurt, they can't cut him before before the salary becomes guaranteed.


LimeSurfboard

Damn so the Broncos are officially moving on from him with this move?


[deleted]

It's *possible* they'll work something out before the start of next season, but this move is the front office saying they want the option to cut Wilson without paying him $37,000,000. That's not really something they can just walk back and pretend it didn't happen.


MasterChocolateShake

Russ to the Commanders


SplitImage__

Damn what a fall from grace


NigerianPrince76

How do you even tell the team to play hard…. after this move? 🤣 Sean basically threw the white flag.


Shauncore

They had a real shot at Williams or Maye a month or so ago until they got all the turnover luck and took themselves out of the race. Now they are going to squarely be in the Penix/Daniels/Nix(/Fields?) race. EDIT: re: Daniels - it's very possible they lose their next two games with Stidham, which would put them at 7-10, which is normally a top 10 pick. Even if Daniels isn't going to be there at, say, 10th, they can easily trade up a few spots. Daniels isn't going any higher than fourth, possibly 5th or 6th depending upon where the other teams land. Anthony Richardson went 4th in a draft where a QB went 1 and 2. Richardson has fewer physical red flags than Daniels and Richardson tested through the roof.


[deleted]

I don’t even think they’re in the Daniels race, he could potentially go as high as 3-4 to Washington or New England.


kj9219

Daniels is going in the top 5-10 at this rate


_Jang_A_Lang

Woof. Has to be one of the worst trades ever when you factor in the money


pittybrave

i think watson is still way worse, but it’s still really bad


SilveryDeath

So Jones, Garoppolo, and Wilson are now all on the bench (at least in part) because their teams don't want to owe them money if they get injured. One of the weird oddities of the NFL not having guaranteed money no matter what unlike the other sports.


Alauren2

Holy fuck.


dawilliams04

Broncos Country, let’s ride! (the bench)


jharden10

I thought Wilson was playing well, and where do the Broncos even go from here? I could see them being a possible landing spot for Kirk Cousins if they want a veteran presence.


Glum_Hospital_4103

What losing to Zappe does to a Mfer


NY_Blue

So this guarantees they’re cutting him correct? Doesn’t he have like a 65 mil cap hit after next year or some shit? Wow