The Broncos ‘have four options to resolve Russell Wilson saga’ after benching star QB… with the Super Bowl winner staying the LEAST likely as the 35-year-old believes his time in Denver is coming to an end

The Broncos 'have four options' to resolve the uncertainty surrounding Russell Wilson's future after benching their star quarterback, with the one-time Super Bowl winner remaining the least likely as the 35-year-old believes his time in Denver is soon coming to an end.

Earlier this week, Wilson told reporters about the threat the Broncos made to him in October if he didn't change his contract after beating the Kansas City Chiefs on Oct. 29.

On Friday, he publicly stated his desire to remain with the franchise, but also admitted that he has considered the possibility of continuing his career elsewhere.

“I hope it's here,” Wilson said. “I hope it will be here for a long time. … If it's not here, I'm willing to do it somewhere else, but I hope it's here. I really mean that.'

Players-turned-analysts, including Robert Griffin III and Ryan Clark, have called out Broncos head coach Sean Payton for his treatment of the vastly experienced Wilson, who is in his 12th NFL season but has yet to reach the playoffs with Denver since was traded there from the Seattle Seahawks last year. What's more is that Wilson agreed to a five-year, $245 million contract extension with the Broncos before even submitting an offer to his new team.

Now both sides are at a tipping point, with the Broncos benching their nine-time Pro Bowler for the final two games of the season to maintain “financial flexibility,” with Payton opting to start backup QB Jarrett Stidham, instead of Wilson, against the LA Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders.

But according to ESPNs Adam Schefterthe Broncos have four avenues they could potentially explore as a means to move on from the saga surrounding Wilson's future in Denver beyond this season.

• First, the Broncos can easily cut ties with Wilson by releasing him before the fifth day of the 2024 season in mid-March, avoiding a scenario where they would owe the QB $37 million in additional guaranteed money that would be triggered at the start of the 2024 season. time. This would give the Broncos an $85 million dead cap charge next year, which would be the largest for a single player in NFL history.

• Denver could also choose to use a post-June 1 designation on Wilson's release, which would benefit the franchise the most by allowing Wilson the dead money in a two-year span – $ 35.4 million in 2024 and $49.6 million in 2025. ESPN has reported this scenario as the “more likely choice” should the Broncos release Wilson.

• The Broncos' third alternative, according to ESPNwould be a trade, although Wilson's contract contains a no-trade clause, meaning he can veto any deal that isn't approved.

• Last but not least, Denver's fourth option, which seems least likely for now, would be for Wilson and the Broncos to work out their differences and start over for the benefit of both sides, which means starting over.

Wilson believes his demotion had been in the works for two months due to his refusal to restructure his contract, even as Payton insisted his signal caller change was strictly a football decision in hopes of getting Denver's offense clicking.

“I am not aware of these discussions,” the coach said. 'I arrange the football. I know this. The main reason for me taking this job was ownership and winning. Sure, the tradition here mattered, relative to being in a place where it matters, but that's something for [Broncos general manager] George [Patron] and the front office. I'm not involved in that. …

“My focus was on winning and I go back to what I said at the beginning of the week. I know how this is written, but this decision was strictly made what I believe gives us a chance to win.”

Wilson has completed 66.4 percent of his passes for 3,070 yards and 26 touchdowns against eight interceptions in 15 starts this season. The Broncos enter the final two games of the season at 7-8, with an outside possibility of making the playoffs.

While it seems unlikely Wilson will return to the Broncos next season, he said he wanted to stay.

“I came here to play here, to win, I knew it was going to be a process,” he said. 'I signed a seven-year contract so that we can play hard. That's my goal, every time I step between the white lines, is to give it everything I've got.

“I want to be here, I want to play here, I want to win championships here.”