ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Russell Wilson reported for his first Denver Broncos training camp on Tuesday morning with two years remaining on his contract and only $5 million in dead cap.
Traditionally, when guaranteed money expires on a top-tier players contract, especially at the most important position in sports, that’s when contract extension talks begin.
While Wilson hasn’t played a single down, or even a single training camp practice yet with the team, it’s widely believed he will receive a contract extension from Denver significantly before his current deal expires after the 2023 season.
George Paton made that clear on the eve of training camp.
“We all want Russell here a long time,” Paton quickly said on Tuesday, when asked where contract negotiations stand with the Broncos’ new franchise quarterback.
However, much like Paton handled the extension talks with Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick last season, Denver’s general manager is going to keep the specifics of the negations behind closed doors.
“Out of respect for his team, our team, we’re just going to keep it in house. Any discussions we may or may not have,” Paton added. “I have a really good relationship with Russ’ agent, Mark Rodgers.”
Despite not wanting put specifics out in the public, Paton didn’t hesitate about Wilson’s future in the Mile High City.
“At the right time, we’ll get a deal done,” Paton stated.
Entering training camp, Wilson’s $35 million a year contract barely cracks the top 10 in terms of average annual deals for NFL quarterbacks. Since Denver acquired the 33-year old in March, multiple quarterbacks have surpassed Wilson with monster deals, including Matthew Stafford, Deshaun Watson, Derek Carr and Kyler Murray.
Hours before the Broncos landed Wilson on Mar. 8, Aaron Rodgers set a new bar for signal callers, signing a three-year, $150.8 million fully-guaranteed deal with an average value topping $50 million.
To crack the top five highest paid quarterbacks, Wilson’s deal will need to top Josh Allen’s contract which checks in at just over $43 million a year.
A key date to watch in the contract negations is Aug. 9. That’s when the Walton-Penner ownership group—and their billions of dollars—is expected to be approved by the other NFL owners.
Until then, all eyes will be on No. 3 when training camp kicks off on Wednesday morning.
At least three players won’t be joining Wilson on the field for the first practice.
Paton also announced on Tuesday that Billy Turner, Randy Gregory and K.J. Hamler will begin camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. Any of the players can be taken off the list and activated at any point during camp. Undrafted rookie Christopher Allen will start on the non-football injury (NFI) list.
