Sources: Seattle Seahawks agree to trade QB Russell Wilson to Denver Broncos, get three players, picks
After weeks of accommodations, in one of the biggest trades in NFL history, the Denver Broncos have agreed to shoot a significant package of players and draft picks to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for Super Bowl- winning quarterback Russell Wilson, sources told ESPN on Tuesday.
The Broncos have agreed to trade quarterback Drew Lock, tight end Noah Fant, protective lineman Shelby Harris, two first-round picks (2022--No. 9 overall-- and 2023), two alternate-round picks (2022--No. 40 overall-- and 2023) and a 2022 fifth-round selection to the Seahawks for Wilson and a 2022 fourth-round pick, sources said.
The trade gives Denver the quarterback it has sought since Peyton Manning retired, and it gives Seattle a foundation on which to rebuild without the quarterback who led the Seahawks to their only Super Bowl title.
Wilson agreed to waive his no- trade provision and passed his Broncos' physical on Tuesday night, sources told ESPN. These moves clear the way for the Seahawks to shoot him to Denver, ending his major 10-season run in Seattle that included nine Pro Bowl selections, one Super Bowl title and further triumphs than any quarterback ever has posted during his first 10 seasons in the league.
The Broncos were Wilson's preference, if he was traded, sources told ESPN's Brady Henderson.
The other players involved in the trade still have to pass their physicals. But the brigades now will start the process with the NFL to confirm the trade, which can not be officially blazoned until March 16 at 4p.m. ET, the launch of the 2022 league time.
Russell Wilson
Denver acquiring Wilson has nothing to do with Aaron Rodgers' decision to return to Green Bay. Denver general director George Paton initiated trade addresses with Seattle for Wilson at least two weeks agone, sources said. But in recent days, as trade addresses with Seattle hotted up, it came clear that Wilson was the Broncos'Plan A. The Broncos and Packers hadn't bandied a Rodgers trade this offseason.
Trainer Pete Carroll told journalists at the gibing combine last week that the Seahawks had"no intention"of trading Wilson, but Carroll again stopped suddenly of shooting down the possibility entirely. Carroll said general director John Schneider's standard response to brigades inquiring about Wilson is that the Seahawks are not shopping their quarterback, according to The (Tacoma) News Tribune.
Wilson's trade comes 13 months after his frustrations with the association gurgled to the face. He intimately complained in February 2021 about all the successes and sacks he'd taken over his career-- lobbying for the platoon to ameliorate his pass protection-- and about his perceived lack of say in help matters relative to other top quarterbacks.
Wilson's commentary rankled some in the association, sources told ESPN. But those pressures feel to have subsided during a drama-free 2021 season.
It's not clear whether Wilson requested a trade.
Wilson, according to a source, always planned on reconsidering his enterprises after the 2021 season. He spoke on multiple occasions about his desire to remain in Seattle long- term, saying he wanted to win further Super Coliseums with the Seahawks. But Wilson stopped suddenly of declaring he'd stay, indeed though his no- trade clause could guarantee that
Wilson has two times and$ 51 million left on the four- time,$ 140 million extension he inked in April 2019. That includes base hires of$ 19 and$ 22 million, with$ 5 million March canon lagniappes in each time making up the remainder. Had Wilson remained on Seattle's canon as of March 20, the Seahawks would have owed him his$ 5 million perk.
Wilson leaves Seattle as the ballot's career leader in utmost applicable end orders and the only quarterback to win a Lombardi Jewel for the Seahawks.
The Seahawks are listed to play a home game against the Broncos coming season.
ESPN's David Purdum contributed to this report.