Did you hear the big news? Mike Williams is staying with the Chargers!
While noteworthy, Williams’ extension was, at best, the third-most interesting thing to happen in football today. Hours after Aaron Rodgers signed a record-setting deal that should make him a Packer for life, Denver stunned the football world with a jaw-dropping trade for Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.
Desperate for something resembling stability at the quarterback position, the Broncos were thought to be all in on Rodgers. Once that ship sailed, however, GM John Elway quickly pivoted to Wilson, a nine-time Pro Bowler who, ironically enough, defeated Denver in Super Bowl LVIII. Wilson didn’t come cheap, with Seattle receiving pass-rusher Shelby Harris, first-round talent Noah Fant and five draft picks (two first-rounders, two seconds and a fifth) as compensation. One unintended consequence of Tuesday’s trade is that soon, we’ll all have to learn how to pronounce Albert Okwuegbunam’s last name.
The blockbuster swap predictably had all of social media buzzing with many taking to Twitter to express their disbelief. Among them was Broncos receiver Jerry Jeudy, who went from heartbroken at Rodgers staying in Green Bay, to ecstatic over Wilson’s arrival.
With all eyes on Denver, the Broncos had a lot riding on this tweet. Luckily, Denver’s social media team rose to the challenge, announcing the Wilson trade with a clever nod to Tom Hanks’ beloved volleyball, Wilson, from the movie Cast Away.
Wilson’s departure from the Seahawks is great news for the rest of the NFC West, including the Cardinals, who the 33-year-old has tormented for the better part of a decade (11-8 record).
With Wilson joining the likes of Justin Herbert and Patrick Mahomes in an absurdly loaded AFC West, many would now consider three-time Pro Bowler Derek Carr, the Raiders’ franchise leader in both passing yards (31,700) and career touchdowns (193), the worst starting quarterback in his division.
With the quarterback market beginning to take shape, many are waiting for the other shoe to drop, with Peter Schrager hinting at more anarchy to come (could a Deshaun Watson trade be in the works?).
Who knew the franchise tag deadline would usher in a day of seismic changes with one Hall-of-Fame quarterback finishing what he started and another beginning a new career arc in Denver? Leave it to the NFL to turn a random Tuesday afternoon in March into riveting, must-see drama.
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