Russell Wilson's time as the Seattle Seahawks' franchise quarterback is over. In a stunning blockbuster move, the team agreed to trade the 33-year-old to the Denver Broncos on Tuesday, in exchange for a mammoth return package that includes top draft picks and players. Wilson, who has a no-trade clause, approved the deal and passed his physical just hours after the news broke.
Although the landscape-altering trade can't become official until next week, Wilson will be wearing a different uniform in 2022. Specifically, the Broncos are parting ways with two first-round picks, two second-rounders, one fifth-rounder, and players Drew Lock, Shelby Harris, and Noah Fant. At a glance, the price for Wilson was quite steep. But could the Seahawks have actually received more in talks? NFL Network reporter James Palmer believes so.
"I think Denver made out well... You have three players that I don't think you're really super upset you lost. And you keep all your receiver talent -- which they believe is their strongest position when you're gaining Russell Wilson," Palmer told The Zach Gelb Show on Tuesday. "You give two 1's and two 2's, and had an extra two and three from the Von Miller trade last year. I don't think Denver is in a terrible spot. I think they did a really good job with this...
"They've been plotting it for a while. That's why it was interesting to see how it played out, because I think that they worked this really well. And I think that we're seeing real early on -- with the draft from last year and now this trade -- there's a reason George Paton had been desired to be a general manager for probably a decade before he took this job. I think he's pretty good at this."
Wilson spent 10 seasons with the Seahawks, and during his tenure, the team made the NFC playoffs eight times, reached two conference championships, and won a Super Bowl. His final campaign in Seattle was far from memorable, unfortunately. Due to a finger injury suffered in early October, Wilson played a career-low 14 games, and struggled to develop a groove upon returning. But he did end 2021 on a high note, finishing the season with 3,113 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and just six interceptions.
It's safe to assume that Denver will offer Wilson a contract extension. At this moment, his cap hit for the 2022 season is $24 million, and in the following season -- his last year, under current contract terms -- the hit is $27 million. Suffice to say, the Broncos can only benefit from Wilson's style, leadership, and presence. Last year, their offense ranked 23rd in the league in average points, 19th in average yards, and 19th in average passing yards. They also haven't made the playoffs since winning Super Bowl 50.
The entire football conversation between Palmer and Gelb can be accessed in the audio player above.
You can follow The Zach Gelb Show on Twitter @ZachGelb and Tom Hanslin @TomHanslin.