Every NFL team’s highest salary for the 2023 season

Denver Broncos: Russell Wilson — $22 million

Even some of the terrible contracts could surprise fans with how little those players are making in 2023. Russell Wilson signed a $87.6 million contract last offseason after he was traded for a massive package to the Denver Broncos. It’s a deal the Broncos regret every day, no matter how many times Wilson says, “Let’s Ride.”

Wilson might have more eyes on his performance next season than any other player in the league. He has this suffocating contract with the Broncos, and they just hired one of the best coaches in recent memory in Sean Payton. Payton was brought in to “fix” what ails Russell Wilson.

There’s no putting lipstick on this pig. Wilson was dreadful in 2022. The Broncos were given an outside chance to beat the Chiefs for the AFC West, but they ended up in last place by a lot. This didn’t happen in spite of Wilson. The former Seahawks’ great was terrible. He finished the season with 16 touchdowns, a career low, and 11 interceptions, his second-worst total.

Wilson was once an MVP candidate, but now he’s a straight-up liability. His contract is an anchor to the Broncos unless he can turn it around quickly. For those curious, the Broncos could cut him next year and pay out his contract ($35 million). His contract escalates in 2025 to $55 million. Then, it’s three more years of $50+ million. Wilson is sneaky old at 35 years old, so asking for a turnaround sounds like a lot. Could the Broncos cut him post-June 1st in 2024? For now, this anchor is sticking around.