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The Denver Broncos got their quarterback. Now they have ensured that it will remain for the foreseeable future.
Russell Wilson and the Broncos agreed to a five-year, $245 million contract extension on Thursday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Given his current contract, Wilson is tied to Denver for seven years for a total salary of $296 million.
The Broncos later confirmed the deal, but did not disclose the money involved.
ESPN’s Field Yates noted that Wilson becomes the NFL’s second-highest paid quarterback annually at $49 million:
Field Yates @FieldYates
Top 5 highest paid QB in terms of average annual value now:
1. Aaron Rodgers: $50.271 million
2. Russell Wilson: $49 million
3. Kyler Murray: $46.1 million
4. Deshaun Watson: $46 million
5. Patrick Mahomes: $45 million
The Broncos already made a big investment in acquiring Wilson, sending the Seattle Seahawks two first-round picks (2022 and 2023), two second-round picks (2022 and 2023), a 2022 fifth-round pick, quarterback Drew Lock, tight end Noah Fant and defensive lineman Shelby Harris in exchange for the veteran quarterback and a 2022 fourth-rounder.
Wilson, 33, made it clear he has a lot more football left in the tank and expects big things with the Broncos.
“My goal is to play 10 or 12 more years and hopefully win three or four more Super Bowls, that’s the plan,” he told reporters. “That’s the mentality. That’s why I came here, to finish my career here and I hope to finish first as champion. And do it several times.”
Wilson has one title (2013) to his name in what has been an outstanding career. The nine-time Pro Bowler has thrown for 37,059 yards, 292 touchdowns and 87 interceptions, going 104-53-1 as Seattle’s starter over the past 10 seasons.
His 2021 campaign was a bit of a struggle as a finger injury cost him three games and the Seahawks struggled, finishing just 7-10. His 3,113 passing yards were a career-low, while his 25 touchdowns were the fewest he’s thrown since 2016.
Still, Wilson is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL and his acquisition makes Denver a real contender.
But the rest of the AFC also improved. In the AFC West alone, the Los Angeles Chargers bolstered their defense with the acquisitions of players such as Khalil Mack and JC Jackson, the Las Vegas Raiders added star Davante Adams and running back Chandler Jones, and the Kansas City Chiefs brought on board. JuJu Smith-Schuster, though they also traded Tyreek Hill.
Dugar, Michael-Shawn @MikeDugar
Russell Wilson left the toughest division in football and joined the toughest division in the *history* of football.
“It’s like an arms race,” Broncos general manager George Paton told The Athletic’s Lindsay Jones in March. “It’s a strong division, and obviously that’s why we’re trying to sign a lot of players so we can do a better job.”
“Why would you want it any other way?” Wilson added. “I want to play against the best. I’m not afraid of anything.”
The rest of the AFC also made moves. The Cleveland Browns traded for quarterback Deshaun Watson and receiver Amari Cooper. The Tennessee Titans added Robert Woods, though they traded AJ Brown. The Buffalo Bills signed Von Miller. The Jacksonville Jaguars went to the border of overspending.
The conference is very open. But with Wilson and an impressive collection of young talent on both sides of the ball, the Broncos are in the mix.