When Sean Payton benched his starting QB Russell Wilson with two games remaining in 2023, everybody knew it was over. A two season long—painful—era had come to an end at the cost of the largest ‘dead money’ salary cap hit in NFL history worth $85 million. With the Broncos going 11-19 in Wilson’s starts over two seasons, and failing to make the playoffs in both, it almost seemed like the team was willingly writing their QB that multimillion dollar check to leave them alone. But as the 2025 season looms large, that check will see the light of day again…

But before we get to that, money is clearly not an issue here. Especially if you listen to Sean Payton’s statements—or should we say, digs?

He took shots at the signal caller in January, as rookie Bo Nix took them to the playoffs in the 2024 season, their first since 2015. Payton remarked, “We’re a lot closer than we were at this time a year ago. That was misery, sorrow, drudgery, give me some other adjectives, just, that was brutal. It was miserable. Let’s say that.” And Payton’s not entirely wrong.

If you had sent five draft picks, including two first-rounders, and three players to the Seahawks for the Super Bowl champion’s services for a five-year, $242.6 million contract, only to fail miserably, you’d be pissed off, too. Signs of a blunder had started showing right from the onset, as the ambitious duo of new head coach Nathaniel Hackett and Wilson failed to justify (with a 4-11 season) that blockbuster trade from Seattle in the 2022 offseason. Yet, the QB was given a second chance at the behest of the HC’s firing…Heads up: Bad decision.

In 30 games for the Broncos, Wilson completed 63.3% of his passes for 6,594 yards, threw 42 touchdowns, and 19 interceptions. Denver’s offense was one of the worst overall with the QB, scoring just 18.9 points per game (26th) and totaling 311.7 yards per game (27th) since 2022. So, yes, in the end, the $85 million was worth it. Designated as a post-June 1 release, the team divided that cap hit over two seasons. In 2024, they somehow dealt with a $53 million cap hit. However, it didn’t end there.

Payton now has to deal with a worrying $32 million cap hit in 2025. But that’s not all…

The Broncos’ former tight end, Greg Dulcich—who was plagued by injuries and inconsistency issues in three seasons, before being let go—is also slated to receive $251,207.

Having said that, there’s also another ambitious update awaiting Steelers nation…

Top Comment by JTBldrCO

You mentionef the stats of Russell Wilson’s 30 games for Denver. But you didn’t mention that he also took 100...more

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Former QB makes a comeback

The Steelers’ first-round pick (20th overall) in the 2020 NFL Draft, Kenny Pickett, requested a trade last year, and joined the Eagles. However, he seems to be making an enthusiastic U-turn—but not in the way you’re thinking…

Pickett is reportedly set to coach the Pitt Panthers (University of Pittsburgh’s intercollegiate football team) for the Spring Game, against former Pitt/Eagles defensive back Avonte Maddox, at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday, April 12.

Talking about the same, on the February 22 episode of the 93.7 The Fan, he revealed, “I got to talk to Avonte Maddox, I think we might be coaching against each other. So, I gotta get him on the phone and we’ll see. But I’m really excited for it, really excited to get back to Pitt and see all the guys, see all the coaches and see how the team is looking this year.” 

Well, looks like Sean Payton sure has got some worrying to do worth some multimillion dollars, but we’re sure he’s gonna be doing just fine!