Report: Seahawks agree to trade Wilson to Broncos
The Seattle Seahawks have agreed to trade quarterback Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos in a stunning blockbuster, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The Broncos will send two first-round picks (No. 9 overall in the 2022 draft and a 2023 pick), two second-round selections (No. 40 overall and a 2023 selection), and a 2022 fifth-round choice, adds Schefter.
Denver is also trading quarterback Drew Lock, tight end Noah Fant, defensive lineman Shelby Harris, and a fourth-round pick back to the Seahawks, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Wilson has officially waived his no-trade clause and passed his physical with the Broncos, sources told Schefter.
Seattle will move on from Wilson after a 10-year marriage that was overwhelmingly successful despite some tense moments. Wilson led the Seahawks to their first-ever championship in Super Bowl XLVIII, made the Pro Bowl nine times, and turned a franchise that lacked national relevance for most of its existence prior to his arrival into a perennial contender.
The Seahawks pulled the trigger after months of speculation over Wilson's future in the Pacific Northwest. The 33-year-old hinted at discontent with the Seahawks last offseason, and at one point last year, his agent listed four trade destinations - Chicago, Las Vegas, Dallas, and New Orleans - the quarterback would accept.
However, the two sides seemed to iron out their differences by the end of the 2021 campaign. Wilson stated his desire to stay in Seattle several times late in the year, and the team appeared to be on the same page.
"We have no intention of making any move there," Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said at the NFL combine six days ago when asked about potentially trading his star passer.
Wilson is coming off a down season by his standards, but he still threw for 3,113 yards and 25 touchdowns with only six interceptions. He missed three games with a finger injury, marking the first time in his career that he didn't suit up for a full campaign. He owns the third-best touchdown-to-interception ratio in NFL history at 3.36-to-1.
He'll join a Broncos team that has been desperately seeking a franchise quarterback since Peyton Manning retired after Super Bowl 50. They were linked to Aaron Rodgers for over a year, but the four-time MVP confirmed he's returning to the Packers.
The Broncos haven't been to the postseason since their last title and have endured five straight losing seasons, but they are loaded with offensive talent. Even without the promising Fant, their other marquee targets - Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick, and Jerry Jeudy - are under control through 2024.
Wilson will join an AFC West division that was already stacked at quarterback: Patrick Mahomes plays for the Kansas City Chiefs, Justin Herbert leads the Los Angeles Chargers, and Derek Carr just had one of his best seasons for the Las Vegas Raiders.
Seattle rejected an offer from the Washington Commanders that included a first-round pick in 2022, 2023, and 2024 before sending Wilson to Denver, according to Ben Standig of The Athletic. The Seahawks reportedly preferred to trade the quarterback out of the NFC.
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