Russell Wilson Released From Denver Broncos, Bids Farewell

Russell Wilson and “Broncos Country” have had their last ride.

The veteran NFL quarterback bid farewell to the Denver Broncos organization and fandom as news came out that they planned to release him this month.

“Broncos Country, Thank You!” Wilson wrote in a statement shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Monday (Mar. 4). “Over these last two years, you have welcomed my family and me with open arms and have embraced us as members of the Denver community. This city will always hold a special place in my heart. Our family grew here, we made countless memories and friendships, and formed relationships that will last a lifetime.”

He shouted out several teammates by name, as well as members of the Broncos staff, cafeteria workers, and his pastor. “Tough times don’t last, but tough people do,” he wrote to close the statement. “God’s got me. I am excited for what’s next.” Read the statement below.

Minutes before Russell Wilson shared his post, the Denver Broncos posted a statement on their official X account. “We’ve notified QB Russell Wilson that he will be released after the league year begins March 13,” they wrote in the caption.

In the actual statement, directly from their general manager George Paton and head coach Sean Payton, they wished Wilson the best in his future endeavors, stressed their commitment to “building the strongest team possible” and enthusiasm about having the “flexibility to get better through the draft and free agency.”

In other words, the five-year, $245 million investment they put into Wilson proved to not be worth it, and they needed to regroup. Though the one-time Super Bowl champ has been a stellar quarterback throughout his career, the Broncos did not experience the same success that he brought the Seattle Seahawks. They had losing records and missed the playoffs in his two years under center; this past season was especially difficult, as their internal drama became public.

ESPN+ published a profile on Broncos head coach Sean Payton in September 2023, where he recounted calling out Wilson for not being focused on football. “He told Wilson that to salvage his career he needed to focus less on Russell Inc,” Seth Wickersham wrote. “‘Will you f**king stop kissing all the babies? You’re not running for public office.’”

The NFL is situational, and given Wilson’s success in Seattle, it may not be over for him. Several quarterbacks in the league could use a veteran quarterback, namely the Pittsburgh Steelers and Atlanta Falcons, so his free agency period will be intriguing.