Russell Wilson's departure from Denver cost him dearly: The big loss he took before g with Giants

Russell Wilson's tenure with the Denver Broncos was a disappointment from start to finish. While the franchise had hoped he'd be the final piece in a Super Bowl-caliber puzzle, his time in the Mile High City delivered more viral slogans than victories. And now, as the dust settles from his departure, the financial aftershocks are starting to come into clearer view.

Wilson arrived in Denver back in 2022 with sky-high expectations. He was greeted with fanfare and optimism, even introducing a now-infamous rallying cry: "Broncos Country, let's ride."

But that ride, unfortunately for both the franchise and its fans, quickly veered off course. He failed to develop chemistry with his receivers, struggled behind a shaky offensive line, and never quite regained the rhythm he displayed in Seattle.

His second season in Denver under head coach Sean Payton brought more of the same, including a tense moment where Payton was caught on camera publicly chewing him out on the sidelines. To his credit, Wilson never lashed out. He stayed composed, gave polished pressers, and remained professional through what became a slow unraveling of his status in Denver.

Eventually, Payton and the front office asked Wilson to accept a pay cut. When he refused, they made the decision to cut him while still being on the hook for a significant chunk of his salary. Wilson will earn over $37 million in dead cap money from the Broncos in 2024, despite suiting up for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

A $3.5 million loss in Cherry Hills

If Wilson's struggles on the field weren't enough, he and wife Ciara took a financial hit off it, too. The Denver Post reported that the couple sold their sprawling estate in Cherry Hills Village for $21.5 million, a staggering $3.5 million less than the $25 million they paid for it just two years earlier.

The property itself was nothing short of spectacular. The five-acre estate included a 2,590-square-foot indoor swimming pool, full-size basketball court, home theater, and even a separate guest house. It was the most expensive residential purchase in Cherry Hills history at the time. But even with those amenities, the sale couldn't recoup their initial investment.

This isn't the first time the Wilsons have faced turbulence in the real estate market. Back in Washington, the couple listed a waterfront property for $36 million but failed to find a buyer at that price. They eventually split the land into two parcels and sold them individually. The first sold at a $3 million loss, while the second brought in an $8 million profit. Combined, they netted a $5 million gain, but the original plan likely aimed for far more.