As the clock ticks down to Oct. 31, 4 p.m. ET, teams are hustling to make game-changing moves before Week 9. This season, the Broncos have grappled with a meager two wins and a hefty five losses. With the Kansas City Chiefs riding a six-game winning streak, the Broncos, currently at 2-5, find themselves in the basement of the AFC West. The Broncos prepare to square off against the red-hot Chiefs this Sunday at 4:25 p.m.

One question looms large: Can this crucial matchup be the lifeline that salvages both QB Russell Wilson‘s and Coach Sean Payton’s careers? On October 27th, HC delved into the strategy of unleashing explosive plays. To the press, Payton emphasized the critical role of red-zone efficiency for the Broncos in their upcoming game.

Time ticking for Payton and Wilson

The NFL trade deadline, marking the midway point of the season, stops teams from swapping players. Well, it’s not as simple as a win-or-lose scenario. Front offices weigh in on performance, team chemistry, and ownership considerations. A W against the Chiefs would be a major boost, but it might not be the golden ticket.

Enter Sean Payton, the newly minted head honcho as of January 2023. His mission? To rejuvenate Denver’s offensive might and revive Wilson’s career. Payton minced no words about ex-offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, dubbing his tenure one for the NFL history books – for the wrong reasons.

After, all the offseason dramas: Speculation swirls that Payton might swap Wilson for backup Jarrett Stidham if Russ can’t find his groove. However, Wilson’s hefty contract (five-year, $245 million) inked in August 2022 complicates the equation. Whether a win against the Chiefs can save their skins, well, that’s still a mystery in the Rocky Mountains.

A victory against the Chiefs could boost the Broncos, but it won’t guarantee job security. The game’s result is just one piece of a much larger puzzle in determining their future. Although, there are some ways to trade Wilson after 2023.

Can Wilson be traded in 2024?

In the NFL, trading a player like Wilson after the 2023 season comes with financial considerations. If the Broncos trade him before exercising a $22M option bonus for 2024, they could lessen the dead money charge. A report from SI suggests that the acquiring team would cover this bonus, reducing the Broncos’ financial hit.

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Trading him in 2024 would cost the Broncos around $46M in dead money, but they’d only lose about $10M in cap space. Waiting until after June 1 isn’t ideal, as most teams want their QB situations settled. Keeping Wilson until 2025 is an option, but it depends on his performance. Trading in 2024 before the option bonus kicks in makes sense. Though not every team may be interested, a few could be potential suitors.

Earlier, to free Sean Payton from the Saints, the Broncos traded significant draft picks in a complex deal. Worth noting, Russell Wilson’s performance this season has been middling, not the primary issue for the Broncos. However, trading restarts at the new league year’s kickoff on March 13, 2024, coinciding with player signings.

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