Last year, the Denver Broncos released veteran quarterback Russell Wilson and took on an $85 million “dead money” salary cap hit, the largest in NFL history. After designating it as a post-June 1 release, the Broncos spread that cap hit over two years: $53 million in 2024 and $32 million in 2025.
So the 36-year-old quarterback will still have a significant cap hit ($32 million) in Denver this season. That is one of two dead money cap hits on the books in 2025, with tight end Greg Dulcich ($251,207) a much lower total.
Wilson spent last season with the Pittsburgh Steelers and he is now scheduled to become a free agent in March. After counting against the Broncos’ cap this season, Wilson will finally be off the team’s books completely in 2026.
Denver, meanwhile, is in a relatively healthy cap situation despite Wilson’s dead money hit. The Broncos have about $52 million in cap space ahead of NFL free agency in March.
