If bygones can truly be bygones, there’s a possibility that the Denver Broncos might find themselves facing former quarterback Russell Wilson twice a year in the AFC West. On January 26, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the Las Vegas Raiders and newly appointed head coach Pete Carroll might be considering Wilson as their next quarterback. This potential move would reunite Carroll and Wilson after a decade-long stint with the Seattle Seahawks from 2012 to 2021.
Rapoport shared the news on his official X account, stating, “The #Raiders new coach Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson have stayed close, and Wilson is a strong option in Las Vegas.” He further emphasized Carroll’s decision-making process: “The 73-year-old head coach still faces a major decision. One of his close friends remains Russell Wilson, now with the Steelers. My understanding is that Wilson had interest in joining the Raiders last year, but it didn’t materialize. That possibility may resurface.”
Wilson somewhat revitalized his career in 2024 after signing a one-year, $1.2 million contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers following two rough seasons with the Broncos in 2022 and 2023. Despite his departure from Denver, a potential reunion with Carroll would be significant, considering their reported fallout at the end of Wilson’s tenure in Seattle. Allegedly, Wilson attempted to have Carroll and general manager John Schneider fired before being traded to Denver.
The Broncos’ decision to acquire Wilson in what has now been labeled one of the worst trades in NFL history proved costly. To secure Wilson and a 2022 fourth-round pick, the Broncos surrendered first and second-round picks in 2022 and 2023, along with a fifth-round pick, quarterback Drew Lock, tight end Noah Fant, and defensive tackle Shelby Harris. Moreover, they signed Wilson to a five-year, $242.5 million contract extension just six months later. In return, Wilson went 11-19 as a starter, and the team faced an $85 million dead cap hit spread across 2024 and 2025 after his release.
Despite Wilson’s departure, the Broncos surprised the league by going 10-7 in their first post-Wilson season, making the playoffs for the first time since 2015. They ultimately fell to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Wild Card Round, but the team’s success under rookie quarterback Bo Nix underscored the strained relationship between Wilson and head coach Sean Payton.
Wilson, however, showed flashes of his former brilliance in 2024. After missing the first six games of the season due to injury, with Justin Fields filling in, Wilson returned and led the Steelers to a 6-5 record. His efforts helped the team reach the AFC Playoffs, where they were defeated by the Baltimore Ravens. Wilson’s impressive performance in that game included completing 20 of 29 passes for 270 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions.
According to Spotrac, Wilson’s projected market value now stands at a two-year, $77.4 million contract, averaging $38.7 million per season.
