The Denver Broncos have benched Russell Wilson for their Week 17 game against the Los Angeles Chargers and will instead start Jarrett Stidham.

The change helps increase the Broncos' financial flexibility this upcoming offseason, as Wilson will make an additional $37 million in guaranteed money if he can't pass a physical by early March. An injury to Wilson in either of Denver's last two games of the season could trigger that guarantee.

The 2024 season makes the first of a five-year, $242.6 million extension signed in 2022 by Wilson.

The Broncos have just six draft picks in April, with no second-rounder, and would face unprecedented dead money charges of $85 million combined over the 2024 and 2025 seasons if they cut Wilson.