Broncos to release veteran QB Wilson

The Denver Broncos told Russell Wilson on Monday that they’re going to release him next week, just 18 months after signing the Super Bowl-winning quarterback to a five-year, $242 million contract extension.

The Broncos still owe Wilson his $39 million salary for 2024 minus whatever he’d sign for with another team, which would likely be the veteran’s minimum salary of $1.21 million.

One potential landing spot is Pittsburgh. The Steelers are set to visit Denver next season.

The Broncos also will take a record $89 million hit in dead cap charges over the next two seasons.

Wilson enjoyed a bounce-back year last season under new head coach Sean Payton, throwing for 26 touchdowns with eight interceptions in 15 games.

But it wasn’t good enough and Payton benched him for Jarrett Stidham for the final two games. Stidham went 1-1 and the Broncos finished 8-9, their seventh straight losing season and their eighth in a row outside the playoffs.

KELCE MAKES RETIREMENT OFFICIAL >> Jason Kelce has retired after 13 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Kelce, 36, officially called it quits Monday at the Eagles’ Novacare Complex, ending a career in which he became not only one of the great centers of his era who played a key role in the franchise’s lone Super Bowl championship but a beloved Philly personality and popular podcast host.

“Let’s see how long this lasts,” said Kelce, wearing a sleeveless Eagles T-shirt, before he burst into tears and needed several moments to compose himself at a news conference attended by his parents, Ed and Donna, and brother Travis, who were wearing sunglasses inside the auditorium.

Jason Kelce needed 45 minutes to recount his career from his childhood in Ohio to his final days with the Eagles through tears, laughter and many thanks to his biggest influences before he finally announced he was retiring.

“I have been the underdog my entire career,” he said. “And I mean this when I say it, I still wish I was.”

VIKINGS RELEASE MATTISON >> The Minnesota Vikings released running back Alexander Mattison on Monday, with the club continuing to seek solutions to a lagging rushing attack.

Mattison, a San Bernardino High product, was coming off an unremarkable first season as the primary ball carrier and lost the starting job to Ty Chandler for the last four games. Mattison rushed for a career-high 700 yards and had three receiving touchdowns, but a lack of explosiveness at the line minimized his impact.

The move will clear $3.35 million from Minnesota’s salary cap and leave just $1.25 million in dead money from the twoyear, $7 million contract he signed prior to last season. SIGNINGS >> The Kansas City Chiefs placed the franchise tag on L’jarius Sneed on Monday, though it is uncertain whether that means one of the top cornerbacks due to hit free agency will remain with the Super Bowl champions next season.

The Chiefs entered the offseason with Sneed and All-pro defensive tackle Chris Jones preparing to hit free agency, and general manager Brett Veach made it clear that he hoped to keep both.

But the tag number of $19.8 million for Sneed is far more palatable than the roughly $32 million that would be owed to Jones, making the choice between the players an easy one.

Today is the deadline to use the franchise tag.

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers agreed with Mike Evans, the team’s career receiving leader, on a two-year contract to remain with the club that drafted him.