The Denver Broncos announced Russell Wilson was cut on Monday morning after a closed door meeting between the former quarterback, coach Sean Payton and general manger George Paton.
“We thank Wilson for his contributions and dedication to our team and community while wishing him the best as he continues his career,” they said.
In January, it was reported that Russell, 35, may soon be out of a job after his less-than-stellar performance last season.
The former starting quarterback was benched by coach Payton after the team lost a must-win game to the New England Patriots on Christmas Eve.
Wilson’s wife, 38-year-old singer Ciara Wilson is out of the NFL wives’ club for the first time in 8 years.
There were rumors that the couple’s marriage was on the rocks last month.
Meanwhile, Wilson complained that the team’s front office had threatened to bench him if he refused to renegotiate a portion of his contract last October.
In a letter to the Broncos’ front office in November, the NFL Players Union (NFLPA) took Wilson’s side and argued that the Broncos may have violated the NFL‘s Collective Bargaining Agreement.
“It has come to our attention that the Denver Broncos recently informed Mr. Wilson and his Certified Contract Advisor that if Mr. Wilson would not renegotiate his Player Contract to relinquish certain salary guarantees, the Broncos would remove him from the starting lineup.
“If the Broncos follow-through on the Club’s threat, the Club will violate, among other things, the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Mr. Wilson’s Player Contract and New York law.”
The NFLPA threatened a lawsuit if Russell was removed from the starting lineup.
Wilson signed a 5-year, $242.6 million contract extension with the Broncos in 2022.
The Broncos had until March 17 to make a decision about Wilson’s future with the team.
He was cut before his 2025 contract for $37 million was set to become guaranteed.
Ex-NFL general manager Michael Lombardi told TMZ Sports that Denver’s trade for Wilson “is going to go down as the all-time worst” trade in NFL history.
