Russell Wilson made history in Denver – it was just the wrong kind

The quarterback wanted to change the way he was perceived by leaving the Seahawks for the Broncos. Instead, he was part of one of the NFL's worst trades

You could feel bad for Russell Wilson if the mess he found himself in wasn't so predictable.

He rocked up in Denver in 2022 determined to make a mark. To plot his own course away from the pesky Seattle Seahawks and Pete Carroll. To overthrow Patrick Mahomes at the top of the AFC West. To take multiple Super Bowl titles. To win on his own terms and cement himself as a future Hall of Famer. He pushed through a trade to the Broncos so that he could get more of everything. More control of an offense. More control over the building, including a sparkling new office and his own training staff. More money. And, most importantly, more credit.

$124m guaranteed

11 wins in 30 starts

13 defeats by 10 or more points

Zero playoff appearances

Two first-round picks, two second-round picks and three players traded away

Innumerable shots of frustrated coaches and teammates

Wilson's flaws exposed

An organization further away from contending today than when Wilson walked through the door