When Justice Comes in the Form of a 12th-Round Pick Erasing a $245 Million Disaster’s Legacy

DENVER, Colo. — There are moments in sports where the universe delivers poetic justice so perfect, so beautifully ironic, that you can’t help but marvel at the cosmic sense of humor at play.

Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers is one of those moments.

With one win, Bo Nix—the 12th overall pick in the 2024 draft, the sixth and last quarterback selected in Round 1, the rookie who was supposed to be a project—will tie Russell Wilson’s record for the most wins by a quarterback in their first two NFL seasons.

24 wins.

The same Russell Wilson who cost the Denver Broncos a king’s ransom in draft picks, who signed a $245 million contract extension, who left behind $85 million in dead cap space—the largest cap hit in NFL history—and who went 11-19 in two disastrous years before being unceremoniously dumped.

That Russell Wilson.

And the kicker? Bo Nix is about to match—and potentially surpass—Wilson’s record while being everything Wilson wasn’t in Denver: efficient, clutch, and beloved.

The irony is almost too perfect.

The Tale of Two Contracts: $245M vs. Rookie Scale

Let’s start with the numbers, because they tell a story that defies belief.

Russell Wilson’s Denver Contract:

• 5 years, $245 million ($165M guaranteed)
• Trade cost: Two first-round picks, two second-round picks, a fifth-round pick, Drew Lock, Noah Fant, and Shelby Harris
• Record with Broncos: 11-19
• Dead cap hit after release: $85 million (NFL record)
• Current status: QB3 for New York Giants, behind Jameis Winston and rookie Jaxson Dart

Bo Nix’s Denver Contract:

• 4 years, $18.66 million (fully guaranteed rookie deal)
• Draft cost: 12th overall pick
• Record with Broncos: 23-10
• Dead cap hit: $0 (still on team, thriving)
• Current status: MVP candidate, leading Broncos to #1 seed

The math is staggering. Wilson cost Denver $245 million and six draft picks for 11 wins. Bo Nix cost them $18.66 million and one pick for 23 wins.

That’s $22.2 million per win for Wilson vs. $811,000 per win for Nix.

If you’re looking for a textbook definition of “getting what you paid for,” this ain’t it.

The Record: 24 Wins in Two Seasons

The record Bo Nix is chasing belongs to Russell Wilson—but it was earned a lifetime ago, in Seattle, when Wilson was young, hungry, and one of the most electrifying quarterbacks in football.

Russell Wilson (Seattle Seahawks, 2012-2013):

• 24-8 record
• 509/800 (63.6%), 6,475 yards, 52 TDs, 19 INTs, 100.6 passer rating
• Won Super Bowl XLVIII in Year 2 (over Denver, ironically)

Bo Nix (Denver Broncos, 2024-2025):

• 23-10 record (one win away from tying)
• 750/1,156 (64.9%), 7,565 yards, 54 TDs, 23 INTs, 90.7 passer rating
• Heading into playoffs with #1 seed potential in Year 2

The statistics are eerily similar. But the context? Completely opposite.

Wilson’s record was built with the Legion of Boom—one of the greatest defenses in NFL history. Nix’s record has been built with a solid defense, yes, but also with his own arm, legs, and unshakable composure.

Wilson’s Seahawks were expected to contend. Nix’s Broncos were expected to rebuild.

And yet, here we are.

The Comparison: 30 Games, Two Quarterbacks, One Clear Winner

For those who want a true apples-to-apples comparison, let’s look at the first 30 games each quarterback played for Denver.

Russell Wilson (2022-2023):

• 11-19 record
• 63.3% completion, 6,594 yards, 42 TDs, 19 INTs, 90.9 passer rating
• 135 rushes, 618 yards, 4.6 YPC, 6 TDs
• 100 sacks, 16 fumbles, 7 fumbles lost

Bo Nix (2024-2025):

• 21-9 record
• 64.9% completion, 6,729 yards, 48 TDs, 21 INTs, 90.2 passer rating
• 147 rushes, 674 yards, 4.6 YPC, 8 TDs
• 40 sacks, 6 fumbles, 1 fumble lost

The passing stats are almost identical. But look at those sacks and fumbles.

Wilson was sacked 100 times in 30 games. Nix? 40 times.

Wilson fumbled 16 times and lost 7. Nix fumbled 6 times and lost 1.

This is what Sean Payton meant when he said he wanted a quarterback who was “tough to sack.” Wilson held the ball too long. Nix gets rid of it.

And the result? 21 wins vs. 11 wins.

Case closed.

The Sixth QB Taken: How Bo Nix Became the Steal of the Draft

The 2024 NFL Draft featured six first-round quarterbacks:

1. Caleb Williams (1st overall, Chicago Bears)
2. Jayden Daniels (2nd overall, Washington Commanders)
3. Drake Maye (3rd overall, New England Patriots)
4. Michael Penix Jr. (8th overall, Atlanta Falcons)
5. J.J. McCarthy (10th overall, Minnesota Vikings)
6. Bo Nix (12th overall, Denver Broncos)

Of those six, who has had the best two-year start?

Bo Nix.

He’s the only one with 20+ wins. He’s the only one who made the playoffs in both seasons. And he’s the only one who has a legitimate shot at winning the Super Bowl in Year 2.

Meanwhile, Russell Wilson—the $245 million man—has been benched in favor of a rookie (Jaxson Dart) and demoted to QB3 with the Giants.

The irony? Wilson was supposed to be the savior. Nix was supposed to be the stopgap.

Instead, Nix is the franchise cornerstone, and Wilson is scrambling for roster spots.

The Super Bowl Path: History Repeating (In a Good Way)

Here’s where things get even more interesting.

Russell Wilson won Super Bowl XLVIII in his second season (2013) after going 24-8 through his first two years.

Bo Nix is 23-10 heading into the playoffs in his second season. If he beats the Chargers on Sunday, he’ll be 24-10—tied with Wilson.

But unlike Wilson’s Seahawks, who had to go through the playoffs as a Wild Card team in Year 1, Nix’s Broncos are fighting for the #1 seed and a first-round bye.

Pro Football Focus gives the Broncos the best chance at winning the Super Bowl of any team in the NFL.

And get this: The Super Bowl is at Levi’s Stadium—the same venue where the Broncos won their last Super Bowl exactly 10 years ago.

If Bo Nix leads Denver to a Super Bowl win at Levi’s Stadium in his second season—just like Wilson did in Seattle—the circle will be complete.

And Wilson’s Denver legacy? Officially erased.

The Giants’ Humiliation: Wilson’s Career in Freefall

While Bo Nix ascends, Russell Wilson’s career has become a cautionary tale.

After being released by Denver in March 2024, Wilson signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers and went 6-8 as a starter.

He then signed with the New York Giants, where he was benched after Week 3 in favor of rookie Jaxson Dart.

He’s now QB3, behind Jameis Winston and Dart.

This is a 10-time Pro Bowler. A Super Bowl champion. A quarterback who was once considered a future Hall of Famer.

And now? He’s third-string on a 3-13 team.

Meanwhile, the quarterback who replaced him in Denver is about to tie his record and potentially break it en route to a championship.

The $85 Million Ghost: How Denver Moved On

The biggest knock on the Broncos after releasing Wilson was the $85 million dead cap hit—the largest in NFL history.

Critics said it would cripple the franchise for years. That Denver would be stuck in rebuild mode until 2026 at the earliest.

Instead, the Broncos used that space wisely. They drafted Bo Nix. They built around him. And in two years, they’ve gone from 4-13 to 13-3 and fighting for a Super Bowl.

“One, Wilson wasn’t that bad during his time with the Broncos. In fact, he was pretty good. Two, there’s little doubt the Broncos made the correct decision in moving on from Wilson and making Nix the face of the franchise.”

That’s the perfect summary. Wilson wasn’t terrible. But he wasn’t worth $245 million. And Bo Nix, for a fraction of the cost, has already accomplished more.

Sunday: The Moment of Reckoning

This Sunday, the Denver Broncos host the Los Angeles Chargers in a game that will determine playoff seeding.

The Chargers are resting Justin Herbert and several key starters. DraftKings lists the Broncos as 12.5-point favorites.

In other words, this should be a gimme.

And when the clock hits zero and the Broncos walk off the field victorious, Bo Nix will have 24 wins in his first two seasons—tied with Russell Wilson for the most in NFL history.

But the similarities end there.

Wilson’s 24 wins cost Denver everything. Nix’s 24 wins have cost Denver almost nothing—and given them everything in return.

Final Thoughts: Justice, Served Cold

There’s a saying in sports: “The best revenge is success.”

For the Denver Broncos, success has come in the form of a soft-spoken rookie from Oregon who was supposed to be a project.

For Russell Wilson, success has been replaced by humiliation—benched, demoted, and watching from the sidelines as the team that gave up on him thrives without him.

And for Bo Nix? The best is yet to come.

24 wins. Tied with Wilson. And the playoffs still ahead.

Sometimes, justice comes in the form of a 12th-round pick erasing a $245 million disaster’s legacy.

And Sunday, that justice will be served.