Russell Wilson the latest NFL QB to get a massive contract extension

Denver Broncos star quarterback Russell Wilson just signed a mega contract extension that makes him one of the top-paid players in all of sports.  On Thursday, it was announced that Russell Wilson and the Denver Broncos agreed on a five-year, $245 million contract extension.

This extension adds to his current contract, which will tie him to Denver for seven years, and $296 million.  The new pact also comes with $165 million guaranteed.  Russell Wilson was due for a contract extension, but many within Broncos Country figured it would have come after the 2022 season and after he had a year with the team.

Apparently, the Broncos’ front office had other ideas, and quickly after their new ownership group arrived in town, they likely got together and hammered out a deal.  Denver has dealt with a ton of positive changes in the last year or so.

They recently hired George Paton as their new General Manager to succeed John Elway, hired Nathaniel Hackett after firing Vic Fangio, traded for Russell Wilson, a future Hall of Fame quarterback, and are now under a new ownership group, headed by Rob Walton.

Russell Wilson’s new extension pays him $49 million per year, which is right below Aaron Rodgers’ recent deal.  Wilson is now QB2 in the league in terms of average annual value, which is what most elite NFL players like to focus in on.

I would expect Wilson to have a very prolific season in Denver.  He’s got a nice supply of weapons and what appears to be an average offensive line that won’t get him killed every snap.  The Broncos are in a tough division, but Wilson has won a ton of games, regular and postseason, and a Super Bowl, so the Broncos should be able to hang around in the division all season.

Was this contract a good deal for the Broncos, or did they overpay for Russell Wilson?