Russell Wilson was traded to the Denver Broncos on March 16th, 2022, for five picks and three players. This will go down as one of the worst trades in NFL History.
Russell Wilson went to Denver for two first-round draft picks (five picks total) and three starting players from the Seattle Seahawks. Russell Wilson was notified on March 4th that he would be cut from the Denver Broncos, ending his two-year stint as their starting quarterback.
We’ve notified QB Russell Wilson that he will be released after the league year begins March 13.
A statement from GM George Paton and HC Sean Payton: pic.twitter.com/EJO5mNMjew
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) March 4, 2024
“We spoke with Russell Wilson [Monday] to inform him of his release after the start of the league year [March 13, 4 p.m. ET],” coach Sean Payton and general manager George Paton said in a joint statement. “On behalf of the Broncos, we thank Russell for his contributions and dedication to our team and community while wishing him the best as he continues his career. As we move forward, we are focused on building the strongest team possible for the 2024 season and beyond. We are excited to improve this offseason and will have the flexibility to get better through the draft and free agency.” According to ESPN.
Russel released a statement shortly after thanking the city of Denver, several teammates, the team’s cafeteria workers, and Ray Jackson, vice president of player development. He did not mention Payton, Paton, or the team’s ownership.
Thank You Broncos Country 🙏🏾 – #3 pic.twitter.com/3IoVheYVyI
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) March 4, 2024
Russell Wilson is the Worst
The roster move allows us to reflect on how this took place. Why is this the worst trade ever?
Russell Wilson was traded to Denver for five draft picks, and three starting (or proposed starters) NFL players on March 16th of 2022.
The players were: TE Noah Fant, (became a back-up) QB Drew Lock, and DL Shelby Harris.
The Draft picks: OT Charles Cross, EDGE Boye Mafe, LB Tyreke Smith, WR Dareke Young, CB Devon Witherspoon, and EDGE Derick Hall.
On September 1st of 2022, Wilson signed a five-year, $242.6 million contract extension with about $161 million in guarantees from Denver. Wilson called it “a marriage and you want to be here a long time, and my goal is to be able to finish my career here.”
Sean Peyton was introduced February 6th, 2023. Their demise was very public. It was stated they did not mesh at all. Playbook, philosophy, mindset, or personality. The writing was on the wall for Russell Wilson.
Denver did not have a winning season in Wilson’s tenure. He had an 11-19 record. The Broncos take on $35.4 million in dead salary cap space for 2024 and $49.6 million in dead salary cap space for 2025 ($85 million combined).
Worst Trade Comparisons
The Athletic and other website have been comparing a few other trades to the Russell Wilson Denver situation. A few to highlight that may compete with Russell Wilson.
- Drew Bledsoe to Bills for a first (2002) – A Tom Brady induced trade. Bledsoe left New England for a rival. Bledsoe had one winning season and no playoff appearances. The season prior to the trade he was the highest paid player in the NFL.
- Brett Favre to Packers for a first (1992) – Great for the Packers. Not so great for the Atlanta Falcons.
- Carson Palmer to Raiders for a first- and second-round pick (2011) – Andy Dalton came in, and Palmer left. Palmer went a combined 8-16. He did end up in Arizona were he had a resurgence going 13-3 in 2015.
- Antonio Brown to the Raiders for a third and fourth round pick… we all know how that went.
- Chicago Bears trade up for Mitchell Trubisky – The Bears dealt first-, third-, and fourth-round picks as well as a third-round selection in 2018, to San Francisco to move up just one spot in the 2017 draft for the rights to draft Trubisky. The kicker was the Bears passing up Mahomes and Watson in that same draft.
In the end, the amount Denver gave up, the amount they still owe, the public scrutiny Denver took on, most would agree this will go down as the worst trade ever.
Read More: Top 5 Largest Dead Cap Hits in NFL History ft. Russell Wilson
Why New England Patriots Are a Potential Bad Fit for Russell Wilson, Per NFL Expert
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