Russell Wilson Gets Traded to Denver in a Historic Deal

Just hours after QB Aaron Rodgers announced he was sticking with the Green Bay Packers or the next several years, it looked like Denver swung and missed on a position they desperately need. Fast-forward a few hours, and Denver connected for a long, long, home run. After over a year of speculation regarding the Seattle Seahawks and QB Russell Wilson, a move was finally made. In a blockbuster deal, the Broncos acquired the all-pro quarterback, making them legit contenders immediately.

Trade Details

Denver Receives:

QB Russell Wilson
4th Round Pick

Seattle Receives:

QB Drew Lock
TE Noah Fant
DL Shelby Harris
No. 9 Overall Pick (2022)
1st Round Pick (2023)
Two 2nd Round Picks
5th Round Pick

Downfall of Seattle

While parody in the NFL is very real, the cream of the crop usually stays at the top for a long time, especially if you have a star quarterback. Seattle had that for a decade, making multiple Super Bowls, including winning one, as well as multiple winning seasons. They were the cream of the crop until they were not. After the 2020 season, there were rumors swirling around trading Wilson, but nothing ever came to fruition. In 2021, Seattle finished with its worst record with Wilson at QB, making it even more possible that they can trade him. Now, with him traded, it is a full fall from grace and is only the beginning. There are reports that WR Tyler Lockett is now being shopped as well and I would not be surprised if his running mate DK Metcalf was on the market too. It is a full tear-down, but it is going to be a while before Seattle gets back to where they were with Wilson. Whether it is the numerous coordinators that went through there, a failed offensive line, or the infamous Jamal Adams trade and contract that set the franchise back, Seattle has made some questionable decisions over the past few years. Now, going into 2022, they will have either a rookie quarterback or Drew Lock, leaving a major question mark at the most important position on the field. They are staring down the barrel of bad football for the next few years, at least.

Denver is Legit Contenders

Now, on a positive note, let us talk about the Denver Broncos. We hear the term “a quarterback away” a lot in the NFL, but it is not always the case. For the Broncos, however, it truly is that simple, because the rest of their roster is loaded with talent. On the defensive side of the ball, led by star S Justin Simmons and young CB Patrick Surtain II, the Broncos have an elite defense that can win you a few games if needed. Over the past few years though, it could not cancel out the mediocre QB play from Lock and veteran Teddy Bridgewater. With Wilson running an already talented skill group, this offense can take off. The WR trio of Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, and the underrated Tim Patrick will be good pieces for Wilson to throw too, as well as a rising star at RB in Javonte Williams. Even with TE Noah Fant leaving through the deal, the Broncos are not short on weapons and would not be surprised if they added more through free agency and the draft. This team, which will be led by first-time head coach Nathaniel Hackett, has a chance to win double-digit games and fight for now what is a loaded AFC West.

Loaded AFC West

The underrated part about this move is how loaded the AFC is now at quarterback, specifically the AFC West. The four quarterbacks in that division are Derek Carr (Raiders), Justin Herbert (Chargers), Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs), and now Russell Wilson (Broncos). With this trade, this is easily the best division in football on paper and there is a chance all four of these teams have a legitimate chance to make the playoffs. The Raiders, who made the playoffs last season, are probably going to open the season projected to finish in last place, which is crazy because they have the quarterback and the roster to win 9 to 10 games. Yes, everyone is still trying to catch the Chiefs, and rightfully so. They have been the class of the division for the past several years, including four straight AFC Championship game appearances, two Super Bowl appearances, and one Super Bowl win in that span. It is going to be a dogfight out west, with every game holding that much more weight now that all four teams have a chance at making the playoffs at worst.

Trade details from cbssports.com

Stats and info from profootballreference.com