Is Russell Wilson The Broncos Starting Quarterback? Should I Start Jarrett Stidham? Week 17 Fantasy Football Outlook

Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson was traded from the Seahawks ahead of the 2022 season and then signed a five-year, $245 million extension once traded. The extension is set to start in 2024 with a cap number of over $35 million, which only increases as the deal continues.

The 35-year-old ranks as the QB9 in fantasy this season, averaging over 17 points per game. He ranks 12th in EPA + CPOE, providing more context to his success beyond just yards, which can be misleading. After a very shaky debut season in 2022 with Nathaniel Hackett, Wilson has played slightly above average for most of the 2023 season.

His current extension has Wilson signed until 2028, but the Broncos have had second thoughts after the last two seasons. Is he still the starting quarterback?

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Is Russell Wilson The Broncos Starting Quarterback?

The Broncos announced that Jarrett Stidham will start the final two games of the season because Wilson wouldn't agree to a change in the injury clause in his contract, which would prevent $37 million from vesting. The team wanted him to waive that clause so that if he happened to be on the roster in March and they couldn't cut him for failing a physical, they wouldn't be obligated for his guaranteed salary.

Wilson said he expects to be cut by the team in the offseason, and the organization was attempting to ensure that his salary wouldn't be guaranteed if he failed a physical and had to remain on the roster in March. Despite signing a mega extension prior to 2022, Wilson is unlikely to play a snap for the Broncos under his new extension.

Should I Start Jarrett Stidham In Week 17?

Jarrett Stidham is set to start the final two games of the season, and the Broncos are not officially eliminated from the AFC wildcard race. Just one game back of the seventh seed, the Broncos could secure a playoff spot if they win both games and receive some help. Stidham previously started the final two games in 2022, delivering two solid performances for the Raiders, including a 28-point fantasy outing in Week 17 against the 49ers.

In Week 17, the Broncos will face the Chargers, a team that has allowed the fourth-most points per game to quarterbacks this season. The Chargers rank 29th in DVOA against the pass and have struggled to slow down opposing teams throughout the year. While Stidham may not be an ideal option in standard one-quarterback league formats, he could serve as a viable streamer for teams in desperate need, especially in superflex formats, given the favorable matchup. As he heads into his first start in Week 17, he is positioned as a QB2.

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