In a stunning blockbuster trade the Seahawks have agreed to trade Russell Wilson to the Broncos according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter
Blockbuster: After weeks of negotiations, in one of the largest trades in NFL history, the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos have agreed to terms for a deal involving Super-Bowl winning QB Russell Wilson, sources tell ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 8, 2022
Trade is pending a physical and Wilson’s approval. pic.twitter.com/oRFDV8Ehyx
Wilson had reportedly wanted out of Seattle last season when rumors began floating about teams he would be willing to play for outside of Seattle. Wilson does have a no trade clause so he will need to waive it to finalize any trade.
The Seahawks will take on $26 million in dead money for Wilson as part of the trade. The Broncos will assume Wilson’s 2022 and 2023 contract years which are worth $24 and $27 million apiece, though I would imagine they will extend Wilson as soon as the trade is final. The trade itself can not be processed until the start of the new league year though we will process it early on OTC once the deal is finalized.
Trading Wilson will set the Seahawks on a rebuilding path which may include starting Drew Lock this season if he is part of the trade. It is a stunning turn around in direction for a team who just two years ago sold out to acquire safety Jamal Adams from the Jets for two first round draft picks. I would guess they will recover two first round picks with this trade.
Unless Seattle has something else up their sleeves for a move at QB this really makes 2021, in hindsight, just look like a total miscalculation. They extended Jamal Adams for $17.5 million a season and Tyler Lockett for $17.25 million a season, traded for and extended Gabe Jackson, brought back veteran Carlos Dunlap, and re-signed Chris Carson. One would have to guess that they will try to find some takers for some of their veterans including star linebacker Bobby Wagner who is entering the final year of his contract.
The move will give Denver the QB it has been searching for since Peyton Manning retired. The team has a good amount of money invested in their wide receivers but has been totally limited by their QB the last few seasons. Denver was projected to have nearly $40 million in cap room and could easily afford Wilson’s contract even if no extension is signed.