It’s no surprise that some would believe that, with Russell Wilson entering the final two years of his current contract, the Denver Broncos need to hurry up and extend him before prices skyrocket.
However, it’s not as simple as it may first appear.
On one hand, Rodgers is one of the best QBs in the NFL and arguably one who should re-set the market.
In 2020, Green Bay traded up to draft Jordan Love in Round 1, despite Rodgers playing well.
Ultimately, he and the Packers agreed to a renegotiated deal that gave him a large sum of money in 2022 and voided the remaining years.
After Love started one game in 2021 and played poorly, the Packers appeared to have second thoughts about him, particularly after Rodgers won another MVP award.
The Rodgers situation was one in which the Packers made a move that signaled they were going to replace him, only things didn’t work out that way.
As for Watson, who made it known after the 2020 season that he wanted out, the Houston Texans refused to take any calls about trade offers.
We watched as four teams showed interest in Watson, and the quarterback listened to their offers, then public announcements came each time he eliminated a team.
In short, the Watson situation was a quarterback whose trade situation had far more details made known public than any other.
Let’s go back to 2021 when the Lions decided to trade Stafford.
Instead, it was the more common situation in which you hear that certain teams are interested, ending with the team that eventually acquired him.
The Los Angeles Rams, of course, are that team.
Plus, the Rams had a quality receiving duo, a good offensive line, a top pass rusher in Aaron Donald, and a top cornerback in Jalen Ramsey.
Despite all of this, the Rams didn’t extend Stafford upon acquiring him.
Stafford certainly got paid well, getting $160M in a four-year extension with $63M fully guaranteed and $120M in total guarantees.
This brings us back to Wilson.
It’s true the Broncos ownership situation hasn’t been settled, but even so, an owner willing to spend money doesn’t guarantee Wilson gets extended.
Nathaniel Hackett enters his first year as head coach and, thus, doesn’t have McVay’s pedigree or track record.
The Broncos do have quality wide receivers and a young cornerback in Patrick Surtain II, who has potential to reach the level Ramsey has reached.
On the other hand, he played better in his final two games, so it’s worth asking if he returned from injury too soon.
While there’s plenty of reason to be excited about Wilson’s arrival, we don’t know yet how good he may be.
Reports about Wilson being interested in certain teams is one thing and writers speculating about his future can’t be prevented.
When you don’t make a public spectacle about something, the process usually goes smoother because parties have a better relationship.
Furthermore, that’s with 41 players under contract and, right now, the Broncos are estimated to have $8.6M once they have get to 51 players under contract.
A Wilson extension in 2023 would lower his cap number and thus give the Broncos flexibility to improve the team in free agency.
While you can’t stop analysts and fans from discussing it, that doesn’t mean the Broncos should turn it into a public negotiation.