The Raiders recently completed a season in which they began with an older, past-his-prime, and controversial quarterback—Jimmy Garoppolo—and it only took them eight weeks to regret the decision and bench Garoppolo. It may be foolish to try the same technique again, but the Raiders quarterback position has long been associated to 35-year-old Broncos flameout Russell Wilson.
You can even bet on Wilson landing in Las Vegas. At Draft Kings, the Raiders are the No. 2 favourite to sign Wilson this offseason, with odds of plus-250. The Falcons are the top favourite to land Wilson at plus-130, while a return to Denver—which is unlikely given the Broncos’ performance this season—is also plus-250.
The Raiders must be interested in Wilson, depending on how his contract plays out. Wilson alleged that the Broncos informed him throughout the season that they intended to discharge him in order to reduce the financial impact of his monster contract in the future. That would make him a totally unrestricted free agent, allowing the Raiders to sign him on the cheap.
Russell Wilson Was A Disaster. With the Broncos.
Wilson had a catastrophic two-season tenure with Denver, which handed him a $242 million extension while also trading players (including quarterback Drew Lock), two first-round picks, and two second-round picks to Seattle.
He went 4-11 in 15 starts for the team last year and had a bumpy start with new coach Sean Payton, who did not appear to be a Wilson fan from the minute he was hired in Denver prior to last year. Nonetheless, Wilson’s statistics this season (204.7 yards per game, 26 touchdowns, eight interceptions, 7-8 record) were not awful. He was benched at the end of the season to allow Denver to avoid certain contract guarantees that would have been triggered if he played.
The Broncos are considering paying Wilson $39 million next season, essentially to play elsewhere.
The dilemma for the Raiders or any other team considering signing Wilson is whether his dismal performance in Denver was the result of an aging quarterback who is unlikely to improve, or whether the Broncos’ problem was more due to a subpar roster around him.
Multiple options Likely at Raiders QB
Still, Wilson may be a nice alternative for the Raiders because he would not have to be the starter. Wilson might contend for the starting job next year if he can sign a bargain contract after being released from Denver.
O’Connell struggled in 2023, but showed some potential and might return as a more decisive, polished, and, hopefully, mobile quarterback than he was last year. That could be a concern for the Raiders, as getting out of the $72 million contract they signed with Garoppolo last year will be costly—$15.5 million in dead money this year and $12.8 million next year.
If the Raiders have an O’Connell-Wilson battle, it would be a cost-effective approach for the team to address its quarterback position while Garoppolo’s contract is still active. O’Connell will have a cap hit of roughly $1 million next season.
Bringing in Wilson provides the Raiders with a home run swing as well as a strong insurance plan. If Wilson regains his old form, the Raiders’ quarterback situation might improve significantly. If not, they still have O’Connell.
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