In a blockbuster trade, the Seattle Seahawks have hammered out a trade sending franchise quarterback Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos, according to multiple reports.
Details: Seahawks trading Russell Wilson to the Broncos
A week ago at the NFL Scouting Combine, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said he had “no intention” of trading Wilson. Now, Wilson is set to be on the move. However, the Seahawks trading Wilson to the Broncos hinges on him taking a physical and approving the trade, which can become official when the new league year begins next week.
That is expected to be a formality, though. Jay Glazer reports that while Wilson has a no-trade clause, the Broncos were one of the teams he said he’d waive it for. And once that happens, the Broncos will have a franchise quarterback for the first time since Peyton Manning retired.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter says that Denver acquiring Wilson has nothing to do with Aaron Rodgers’ decision to return to Green Bay. Denver general manager George Paton initiated trade talks with Seattle for Wilson at least two weeks ago, per sources who spoke to Schefter.
What is the Russell Wilson trade compensation?
Schefter reports that the Seahawks will receive QB Drew Lock, TE Noah Fant, DL Shelby Harris, the ninth and 40th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Denver’s first in 2023, a second-rounder in 2023, and a 2022 fifth-rounder in return for Wilson and a 2022 fourth-rounder.
This marks the biggest quarterback deal since a year ago when the Detroit Lions sent Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for Jared Goff and draft picks.
Wilson, 33, signed a four-year contract extension with the Seahawks in 2019 worth a total of $140 million, making him the highest-paid player in the NFL at the time of signing. The contract included $107 million in guarantees, $70 million of which was fully guaranteed at signing, including a $65 million signing bonus.
He’s due $19 million and $22 million base salaries in the final years of the contract. He passed for 2,857 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions last season. He rushed for 178 yards and a touchdown.
For more salary and contract details, visit our informational page on Russell Wilson’s Contract Details, Salary Cap Impact, and Bonuses.
Will the Seahawks look to rebuild through the draft?
Seattle will now look to rebuild their foundation — and that begins at the quarterback position. While Lock will certainly be part of that equation, it isn’t expected that he will be the long-term starter unless he is able to show more than what he did in Denver.
Drafted in 2019, Lock has appeared in 24 games. He has thrown for 4,740 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 20 interceptions. His career completion percentage in the NFL is 59.3.
The Seahawks hold the 10th pick in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft and it’s likely a quarterback will be available for them to select if they so choose.
This includes the likes of Liberty’s Malik Willis, North Carolina’s Sam Howell, Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett, Nevada’s Carson Strong, and Ole Miss’ Matt Corral. In fact, because the top of the draft has a strong group of defensive players, Seattle may get their pick of the litter. The only team in the way, barring a trade-up, is the Carolina Panthers at sixth overall.