NFL insider throws cold water on Russell Wilson-to-Patriots rumors

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NFL insider throws cold water on Russell Wilson-to-Patriots rumors

Posted By: jasabacklink March 5, 2024

Patriots

“Wilson will prioritize winning, and the Patriots aren’t ready to win big.”

Russell Wilson’s contract, which has a whopping $107 million in dead cap space this year, is likely what spared him a second season in Denver.


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The Broncos have told Russell Wilson that they are planning to release him, according to ESPN.

Wilson made a social media post thanking his teammates and the Denver community. He said he’s excited for what’s next.

Could that next stop be in New England, where the Patriots are in desperate need of an upgrade at the quarterback position?

It’s a possibility, but not a likely one, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

“Much will depend on where New England is in its rebuild,” Fowler wrote. “Wilson will prioritize winning, and the Patriots aren’t ready to win big. They need at least a year to replenish the roster. Plus, they have the No. 3 pick, which they could use on Daniels or UNC’s Drake Maye. So, not impossible, but not sure the fit is good for either side.”

Wilson, 35, lasted two seasons in Denver after being traded from Seattle. He signed a five-year, $242.6 million deal not long after the trade. The Broncos will take on $85 million in dead money as a result of cutting him. It’s the largest dead cap hit in league history according to NFL.com.

The Patriots were one of five teams that Fowler mentioned in his story about potential fits for Wilson.

Fowler called Wilson a “pretty good fit” for the Raiders, who went with rookie Aidan O’Connell after benching Jimmy Garoppolo last season. He said adding Wilson would “make sense on paper” for the Steelers, but noted that the Steelers may give Kenny Pickett another shot.

Both the Falcons and Vikings’ interest in Wilson could be affected by what Kirk Cousins ends up doing.

As for the Patriots, the reported plan is to take a quarterback at No. 3 and sign a veteran while the first-round pick sits out a year, according to MassLive’s Mark Daniels.

Wilson threw for 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns, and eight interceptions while completing 66 percent of his passes last season.

The Broncos finished 8-9 and finished second in the AFC West. A loss to the Patriots on Christmas Eve did not help their case.