Russell Wilson to the Broncos? Here's how it could happen this offseason

If Russell Wilson is indeed open to a trade to the Denver Broncos, that could change everything about their short- and long-term plans.

Wednesday afternoon, Jordan Schultz tweeted a video in which he said that the Seattle Seahawks’ longtime starting quarterback would “strongly consider” waiving his no-trade clause for the Denver Broncos, New Orleans Saints and New York Giants. This is in addition to multiple reports that Wilson would also consider waiving his clause for a trade to the Philadelphia Eagles.

? Sources: Russell Wilson would strongly consider waiving his no-trade clause for the #Giants, #Broncos and #Saints. pic.twitter.com/40Eude2zEP

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) December 8, 2021

For all of these teams, Wilson would represent a massive upgrade.

But the Broncos might be the best fit, with their cap situation and their stable of pass catchers with multi-year commitments.

HERE’S WHY A TRADE COULD BE VIABLE:

The Broncos have the cap space to easily take on Wilson’s contract:

Even after accounting for the contracts issued to wide receivers Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick in recent weeks, the are still projected to have $48.09 million in cap space, according to OvertheCap.com. Wilson’s cap number for 2022 for a team that trades for him would be $24 million. Although it would come as no surprise if the team that trades for Wilson chooses to extend and restructure his deal, the Broncos could afford to add even more commitment under their 2022 cap to save space for future years, even though his salary would likely balloon with an extension.

It’s not so simple for the Eagles, Giants and Saints. Here’s how they stand in projected cap space on a $208.2 million cap, per OvertheCap.com:

• Giants: $2,593,647
• Eagles: $18,176,516
• Saints: $61,084,802 OVER THE CAP

What makes matters worse is a lack of obvious contracts from which to create room. The most the Giants can save on any single cut of a player without having the dead money exceed the savings is on punter Riley Dixon’s contract — $2.675 million. Philadelphia has no contracts like that and would be completely reliant on restructures.

And the Saints? No one uses the credit card better. But at some point, the Saints will need to rip off the band-aid of kicking the cap can down the road. The only easy salary deduction is that of former Broncos cornerback Bradley Roby; they can save $9.49 million by cutting him in the offseason.

Beyond the cap situation, the Seahawks also may balk at trading Wilson within the NFC, if it comes to that. In that case, the Broncos could present the only viable option.

AND HERE’S WHAT COULD PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING:

Other teams could offer more than the Broncos in draft capital without torpedoing their arsenals.

Denver could offer two first-round picks and three second-round picks over the next two drafts, although that would certainly be a painful haul to surrender. It would ensure that the Broncos not only have a quarterback on a high salary, but would lack the high-round capital to fill any gaps that could arise, so for a couple of years, they would be caught short on premium young talent unless they nail the middle rounds.

No one said that this would be painless, right?

But the number of potential suitors — and their assets — could necessitate such a deal.

The Eagles could offer three first-round picks in this year’s draft — their own, and two acquired via trades with Miami and Indianapolis. Currently, all three of the selections are slated to be between picks 12 and 17. The Giants could offer two top-10 choices if they and the Bears continue to flounder; right now, those picks are projected to be Nos. 6 and 7.

Both of those teams could also offer quarterbacks who add some value. Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts is likely the most valuable young quarterback that could go back to the Seahawks in a deal; he has two more years on his rookie deal. New York’s Daniel Jones, who enters the last year of his contract but has a fifth-year option, could also be dangled by the Giants. Unfortunately for the Broncos, their own young passer, Drew Lock, has just one year left of team control and given his performance to date in backup stints, likely wouldn’t have the same value.

The Saints have their own picks, but lack a third-rounder in this year’s draft, since they traded that as part of a swap to get Roby.

To make up the difference compared to what these other potential suitors could offer, the Broncos would potentially have to surrender a young player as part of the deal.

Don’t expect the hubbub over a potential trade of Wilson to ebb in the coming months. But after the Broncos passed on the 5-foot-11 passer to take 6-foot-7 Brock Osweiler in the second round of the 2012 draft, there would be more than a dollop of dramatic irony if fortune led them back to the eight-time Pro Bowler whose success helped change the physical template for quarterbacks, helping pave the way for Kyler Murray to be a No. 1 overall pick seven years later.

Wilson changed the game, and if he decides that this is the right time to change teams, he could be the most coveted player in the sport in the coming months.