It didn't take George Paton and the Denver Broncos long to pivot to Plan B.
Just hours after news broke that Aaron Rodgers was going to remain with the Green Bay Packers on Tuesday, the Broncos have reportedly agreed to a trade that will allow them to acquire quarterback Russell Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks for a boatload of compensation.
According to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Broncos will acquire Wilson and a fourth round pick in exchange for Lock, tight end Noah Fant, defensive lineman Shelby Harris, two first round picks, two second round picks and a fifth round pick.
Wilson, 33, was a third round pick by the Seahawks in the 2012 NFL Draft, and developed into, arguably, the greatest player in franchise history. Wilson tossed 292 touchdowns to 87 interceptions in 10 seasons with the Seahawks, adding 4,689 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns on the ground.
The Seahawks played in the Super Bowl in two of Wilson's first three seasons. Ironically, the Seahawks throttled Peyton Manning and the Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII, 43-8.
For the Broncos, this trade will, theoretically, allow them to compete in the AFC West. Wilson will join the crop of quarterbacks in the division that includes Patrick Mahomes with the Kansas City Chiefs, Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers and Derek Carr of the Las Vegas Raiders. The addition of Wilson may make the AFC West the most talented division, in terms of quarterbacks, ever.
It remains to be seen if the Broncos and Wilson will immediately work on a new long-term contract, with all the guaranteed money on his current deal - which runs through the 2023 season - paid off.
Meanwhile, the Seahawks will get a massive head start on rebuilding a franchise that had become stagnant in recent years. Whether or not that's worth giving up a star quarterback that could play for seven or more years still remains to be seen.
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