Broncos Sign Russell Wilson To Second-Largest Contract In NFL History

Topline

The Denver Broncos signed quarterback Russell Wilson to a contract extension with the second-most guaranteed money in NFL history, according to several reports Thursday, locking down its newly acquired quarterback long-term.

Key Facts

Wilson signed a five-year, $245 million contract extension with $165 million guaranteed, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

The $165 million in guarantees trail only the $230 million quarterback DeShaun Watson received earlier this year from the Cleveland Browns.

The deal adds onto the two years and $51 million still remaining on Wilson’s contract, tying the quarterback to Denver through 2028, when he’ll turn 40 years old.

Key Background

In March, the Broncos acquired Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for multiple first-round draft picks and players, one of the most significant trades in NFL history. A nine-time Pro Bowler and former Super Bowl champion, Wilson is considered one of the top quarterbacks in the sport. Wilson’s extension is the latest in a series of blockbuster quarterback extensions, following Watson’s record-setting extension in March, Kyler Murray’s five-year, $230.5 million extension with the Arizona Cardinals in July and Aaron Rodgers’ four-year, $200 million extension with the Green Bay Packers inked in March. Watson’s deal was much maligned as it came amid dozens of allegations of sexual misconduct and included a 2022 base salary of about $1 million to lessen the financial blow of a suspension. Last month, the NFL suspended Watson for 11 games and fined him $5 million, the largest player penalty in league history.

Surprising Fact

Wilson became the NFL’s highest-paid player in 2019 when he signed a four-year, $140 million extension with the Seahawks, a deal worth 40% less than the Broncos extension on an annual basis. Wilson was the sixth highest-paid athlete in the world in 2019, according to Forbes’ estimates, though he fell to No. 46 on the 2022 list as other athletes signed wealthier deals.

Tangent

A group led by Walmart heir Robert Walton bought the Broncos for $4.65 billion last month, the most ever paid for a sports team.

Further Reading

Highest-Paid NFL Players 2022: Tom Brady Leads The List For The First Time (Forbes)

Highest-paid NFL players: Tracking most money guaranteed, per year at every position (ESPN)