The Falcons’ search for their next starting quarterback is really going to heat up over the next couple of weeks.
The NFL Combine is set to take place this week, featuring a plethora of potential options for Terry Fontenot and Raheem Morris. Then, soon after that, the legal tampering will begin followed by NFL free agency. By the end of the month, it’s possible the Falcons have their guy for 2024, and an option that’s on the table, even if it may not be the most popular one, is Russell Wilson.
It’s widely expected that the Broncos will cut the nine-time Pro-Bowler, making him an unrestricted free agent. Wilson’s fresh off a season where he started 15 games, throwing for over 3,000 yards and 26 touchdowns to eight interceptions. There’s no questioning that his best years are behind him, but Wilson still believes he can lead a team to a Super Bowl, recently telling Brandon Marshall that he wants to win two more over the next five years.
“Over the next 5 years, I wanna win 2 [Super Bowls]”
-Russell Wilsonpic.twitter.com/rKQ59iPv9o
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) February 25, 2024
To say that appears far-fetched would be an understatement. Most would bet against Russell Wilson even starting another playoff game before calling it quits, let alone winning a Super Bowl. However, what makes him an interesting potential free agent acquisition for the Falcons is his contract situation.
The Broncos owe $39 million to Russell Wilson whether he plays a snap for them next season or not, and with the way the contract is written, the next contract Wilson signs will go against what the Broncos owe him. So, if Wilson wants to stick it to the Broncos after everything that transpired last year, he could be willing to sign for the veteran minimum, knowing he’s going to make the same amount of money in 2024 regardless.
If I’m the Falcons, I would have little interest in paying a 36-year-old Russell Wilson $20+ million to be the starting quarterback. But for less than $2 million? That should pique the interest of every team looking for a quarterback this offseason.
Especially if the Falcons can’t land one of the top quarterbacks in this year’s draft, Russell Wilson would be a quality stopgap option on a cheap contract that could keep the team competitive while they continue their search for the long-term answer at the position.
Is it plan A, B, or even C? Probably not, but there are scenarios where Russell Wilson would make some sense in Atlanta.
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Photographer: Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire
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