Breaking Down the Russell Wilson Trade

Who Sent What in the Russell Wilson Trade?

The Denver Broncos pulled off one of the biggest trades of the century, and it didn’t come easy. After weeks of negotiation, the Broncos and Seahawks finally agreed on a deal.

Denver received Russell Wilson and a 2022 fourth-round pick. Seattle received Drew Lock, Noah Fant, Shelby Harris, two first-round picks (2022 and 2023), and a 2022 fifth-round pick.

With the Russell Wilson trade, Denver has finally gained what seems to be the final piece needed to make a run in the AFC West and something they’ve been chasing ever since Peyton Manning retired in 2015, a quarterback.

As for Seattle, it’s no longer a secret that they’re entering a rebuilding phase as they also released veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner.

Who Won the Russell Wilson Trade?

Sometimes it can be difficult to declare a “winner” or “loser” in a trade deal because a player’s ability can change. For the time being, however, the winner of this trade would be Seattle. Even with trading their former quarterback, Seattle obtained lots of picks alongside three players with some potential.

This is a perfect scenario for the Seahawks, who are entering a rebuilding phase because it gives them lots of opportunities to build their team through the draft.

So while it is heartbreaking for Seattle fans there is an upside, if all goes well for the Seahawks, they could be right back in contention for the NFC West title again.

As for Denver, yes they got Wilson, but was the cost too high? Denver gave up three future draft picks and three players just to get Wilson. Denver still has seven picks in this year’s draft which is a lot.

The Broncos need to upgrade their offensive line for Wilson to have an impact in Denver, but with seven picks, the offensive line needs to be the priority this spring.

2022 and on for both teams

As stated previously, the Broncos now need to upgrade the offensive line. Their defense has been consistent in recent years, playing alongside a weak offense. With the addition of Russell Wilson, the Broncos can now make a serious run at the AFC West crown. Denver is going to be a team to watch going into 2022, and don’t be surprised if they knock down the Chiefs.

For the Seahawks, a total overhaul shouldn’t be nessacery, as the Seahawks just need to improve the defense. Seattle last season struggled a lot, the offense was being carried by D.K. Metcalf and Russell Wilson, and the defense struggled to get off the field. With the draft picks this season, Seattle should look to upgrade the defense first, especially in a division like the NFC West that consists of really great offenses of the Rams, Cardinals, and 49ers.

These two teams will meet in 2022, an official date has yet to be given, but the Broncos will make a trip up to Seattle for a rematch of Super Bowl XLVIII and Wilson’s first time playing against the Seahawks.

Final Thoughts

This trade was one of the best moves made this offseason (so far), and it gives the Broncos a legit chance to challenge the Chiefs. For the Seahawks, a rebuild has been due for a while, and this move officially started it.

For more of my content be sure to follow me on Twitter @KeganCrawford. Thank you for reading my Russell Wilson trade article.

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