On Monday, the Denver Broncos released Super Bowl-winning QB Russell Wilson in an unprecedented move. The 2020 NFL Walter Payton Man-of-the-Year winner and nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback can immediately sign with any team when next week’s league year begins.
Wilson has the luxury of picking a contending team and sign for the veteran minimum since Denver is on the hook for more than $30 Million. This could be a perfect scenario for Poles. The minimum salary for Wilson would only be $1.21 Million.
This would be a highly controversial move by Ryan Poles, but several factors come into play here. Several rookie QBs improved their stock in last week’s Scouting Combine, particularly Bo Nix and JJ McCarthy.
Poles has only five picks in the 2024 draft after trading a fifth-round pick to Buffalo for OL Ryan Bates. Bates was signed by Poles to a 4-year offer sheet two years ago, but Buffalo matched the offer. The move leaves the Bears with only five picks in next month’s draft.
By trading Justin Fields and the number one overall selection in ’24, Poles can stockpile draft picks in the first three rounds of this year’s draft and add draft capital for 2025.
Having Nix or McCarthy sit behind Willson for a year or two could pave the way for stellar QB play for the next decade. Poles can stockpile offensive talents like MHJ, Odunze, or Nabers at WR, Bowers at TE, and Powers Johnson at center.
Russell Wilson can still play in the NFL. Bringing him to Chicago to help the Bears win while mentoring a QB like Nix or McCarthy could be the way to get the QB position right for years to come.
Franchise Tag Deadline is Today
Unless the Bears announce a contract extension for Jaylon Johnson in the next few hours, they must use the franchise tag for the Pro Bowl CB. Once the franchise tag is in place, Poles can still negotiate with Johnson and his agent through the middle of July to sign Johnson to a much-deserved contract.
