Did the Broncos' release of Russell Wilson change ...
Key takeaways
- The Broncos' new $175 million, 205,000-square-foot team headquarters, set to open later this month, sparkled in the afternoon sun, and virtually every starter from last season's 14-3 team was back.
- But Payton's easy smile was also a testament to suddenly not having to worry about team finances -- most notably, dead money against the salary cap.
- As the Broncos get set to adjourn from their offseason work for the summer on Thursday, their present stands in sharp contrast with their past.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
The Broncos' new $175 million, 205,000-square-foot team headquarters, set to open later this month, sparkled in the afternoon sun, and virtually every starter from last season's 14-3 team was back. The team had also added Jaylen Waddle to the receiver corps, further contributing to the good vibes.
But Payton's easy smile was also a testament to suddenly not having to worry about team finances -- most notably, dead money against the salary cap. The team's financial house is back in order, with the then-record $85 million in dead money from quarterback Russell Wilson's 2024 release now completely off the books.
"It feels good," Payton said. "It's important. It's hard to do that."