One NFL head coach in the NFC wasted little time pouring cold water over the idea of his team potentially signing Russell Wilson in free agency.
Earlier this week, the Denver Broncos announced that they will release Wilson once the new league year begins next Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. EST. In cutting the nine-time Pro Bowler, the Broncos are taking on a record dead money charge of $85 million.
One team you can eliminate from the list of potential Wilson landing spots? The Carolina Panthers, according to rookie head coach Dave Canales himself.
During his appearance on Kay Adams’ “Up & Adams” program (h/t Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk), Canales made it clear that the team will not pursue Wilson as a backup to 2023 first overall pick Bryce Young:
“This is not the situation for Russ. What I will say about him is taking that chance and that opportunity to go to Denver, I really admire him for that. I really admire the courage it took to say ‘I’m gonna branch out from what I’m comfortable with.’
Certainly guys like me who was with him for all 10 years and the level of comfort that comes — I know exactly what he wants, he needs, what he’s gonna ask for, I can anticipate those things. He really gambled on himself to go and try to do something a different way to see what that can become. What it’s become, hey, the film’s out there but I really credit him for that.”
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The Panthers wouldn’t have made any sense for Wilson anyway. They hired Canales, the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator, with the idea of helping unlock Young following a dismal rookie year.
It’s been widely reported that Wilson will eye a team that will give him the chance to start. The Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings and Las Vegas Raiders are among the clubs that could use Wilson as a temporary solution.
In his final season with the Broncos, Wilson went 7-8 and completed 66.4 percent of pass attempts for 3,070 yards and 26 touchdowns against eight interceptions.
