The Broncos stole Russell Wilson from the Seahawks

Denver didn’t give up anywhere near what Wilson should have brought Seattle.

On the off chance you’re the kind of workaholic who is only now waking up to the bombshell in Broncos Country, George Paton traded for Russell Wilson. Seattle agreed to deal their future Hall of Famer for a package of eight picks and players. For better or worse, the deal will have a significant role in the second year general manager’s legacy in Denver. Personally, I think he’s going to look like a genius.

The players

Paton sent the Seahawks three players as part of the Wilson deal: quarterback Drew Lock, defensive lineman Shelby Harris, and tight end Noah Fant. Each had their moments in orange and blue, but there’s also a distinct possibility none were a part of Paton’s long-term vision for the Broncos regardless of the Wilson trade.

At no point during Paton’s first year did he seem anywhere near as enamored with Lock as John Elway was. The Broncos were reportedly interested in Matthew Stafford, Deshaun Watson, Andy Dalton, and Sam Darnold before Paton traded a sixth round pick to the Carolina Panthers for Teddy Bridgewater on the eve of the 2021 draft. The former Viking unseated the incumbent Lock for a starting job during the preseason and remained a starter until he suffered a season-ending concussion against the Cincinnati Bengals. While various fans and radio hosts stirred up conspiracies about Vic Fangio’s coaching staff having it out for Lock, Paton is the one who ultimately traded for Bridgewater. The GM also left the door open for Bridgewater’s return prior to the Wilson trade.

A fan favorite since his first game in orange and blue, Shelby Harris signed a 3-year, $27 million extension to remain a Bronco last offseason. It was a savvy deal on Paton’s part. Harris counted for $4 million during the 2021 season, which helped the Broncos wiggle beneath the smaller cap ceiling. The 30-year-old proceeded to have his worst season in Denver and was slated to count for almost $13 million against the cap in 2022. The contract was structured so Harris’ 2023 cap hit was in the same ballpark, but the Broncos would only eat $4 million to cut him. Truth be told, long before the Wilson trade Harris looked like a potential cap casualty if he failed to impress the new coaching staff this year.

Out of the three players Denver gave up for Wilson, Fant is probably the biggest loss when the long-term implications are factored in. The 2019 first round pick is an elite athlete at the position and put up respectable numbers with Joe Flacco, Brandon Allen, Drew Lock, Jeff Driskel, Brett Rypien, Kendall Hinton, and Teddy Bridgewater throwing him passes. Given the fact tight ends are notoriously slow to develop throughout NFL history, a fourth year breakout in the Nathaniel Hackett offense seemed plausible.

Admittedly, there’s been questions about Noah Fant’s future with the Broncos since Paton told reporters they hadn’t decided on his fifth year option at the NFL Combine. The news caught me off guard because Fant’s cap number on the option wasn’t earth-shattering and there was a real case to be made that he was misused by Rich Scangarello and Pat Shurmur. At the same time, the similarities between Hackett’s offense and Scangarello’s suggested Albert Okwuegbunam would be a more natural fit in the new scheme with his play strength and ability as a blocker.

The picks

Paton sent the Seahawks five picks as part of the Wilson deal: the 9th, 40th, and 151st pick in the 2022 draft along with first and second round picks in the 2023 draft. It’s a lot of draft capital to be sure, but there’s been 107 quarterbacks drafted since Wilson in 2011 and yet the 33-year-old remains one of the 10 best in football.

This 2022 QB class is one of the weakest in a decade, so there’s a decent chance the Broncos have a superior player to anyone they could have drafted this year. The 2023 crop looks stronger, but prospects such as Bryce Young and CJ Stroud currently look like they’ll go in the first five picks. Unless Paton and Hackett were willing to punt on their first year together, it probably takes a similar trade package to the Wilson deal for a chance to draft a true franchise QB prospect.

The return

In return for the aforementioned players and picks, the Broncos receive a nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback who has never received a single vote for MVP and was the 114th selection in the ‘22 draft. Wilson is a 33-year-old who reportedly hopes to play until he’s 45. Last year is the first time he’s missed NFL games to injury in his career, and it was a freak finger injury.

Looking ahead, there’s certainly some risk involved because Wilson’s playing style casts a bit of doubt on how his game will age. His struggles against two high coverages also raises questions about how he’ll fare against Brandon Staley, Patrick Graham, and Steve Spagnuolo in the Broncos’ contests against the rest of the AFC West.

Final Thoughts

I want to take a quick trip down a hypothetical. Let’s say Paton balked at the Seattle’s asking price: the Broncos would have the 9th and 40th pick in the 2022 Draft and arguably the worst quarterback room in the NFL.

I’ve been brutally honest about how I see the 2022 QB class since last year: it’s terrible. The weakest crop since I started writing for Mile High Report and probably the worst group I’ve looked at since 2013. Paton elected to pass on stronger prospects in 2021, so perhaps he didn’t love most of this year’s crop enough to reach into the top 10, but the sheer number of teams desperate for a passer meant there was no guarantee anyone good would be left by the Broncos’ second pick at 40. If they planned to count on a rookie savior in 2022, they would have had to jump for him if he was even available.

At this point, the draft’s presumptive QB1 Malik Willis looks like a lock for the top eight after a strong Senior Bowl and Combine. The Broncos would have found themselves in a situation where they would need to trade up or settle on Kenny Pickett, Desmond Ridder, Sam Howell, Carson Strong, or Matt Corral. Realistically, the Broncos had to know they found themselves in a situation where they’d need to secure a veteran passer or settle on Drew Lock as the starting quarterback in 2022. I looked at the alternatives to Aaron Rodgers a few weeks back and it’s a bleak market, so bad that the Washington Commanders just traded multiple Day 2 picks to take on Carson Wentz and his $28,294,119 cap hit for 2022.

Given the rest of the QB market and the competition for his services, I remain blown away by the Russell Wilson trade. The quarterback used his no-trade clause to ensure he landed with the Broncos, and after six long years, Denver finally has a franchise QB again. Regardless of how it works out, they’re relevant again. That’s worth the cost to me.

Your Broncos’ News

Relevancy returns to Broncos with Russell Wilson trade – Mile High Report

It still feels good, doesn’t it?

Russell Wilson and the Star-Quarterback-Savior Complex – The Ringer

An elite QB can change a franchise’s destiny. The Broncos are betting big that Wilson is that kind of player.

Russell Wilson Can Make the Broncos Super Bowl Contenders—If He Evolves – The Ringer

If you ask the Broncos, they’ve wanted to trade for Wilson all along. (Ignore the fact that Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers left the market about two hours before the Wilson trade was announced.) While Wilson isn’t the back-to-back league MVP, he’s still a darn good player in his own right—one with whom the Broncos hope to win a Super Bowl. But exactly how good is Wilson at this point? That’s a tricky question.

Did the Broncos trade for Russell Wilson gave them a franchise quarterback? – Mile High Report

I spoke with Field Gulls Mookie Alexander to find out.

Denver Broncos free agency needs include right tackle and defense – Mile High Report

The Mile High Report team get together to discuss the Denver Broncos biggest roster needs heading into free agency.

Denver Broncos are interested in a trio of pass rushers – Mile High Report

The Broncos are going to add a pass rusher, but who is the question.

Report: Broncos are among the teams “very interested” in linebacker Bobby Wagner – Mile High Report

Could we see another Seahawks great join the Broncos?

How often do elite NFL pass rushers get “shut out”? – Mile High Report

Who was the most consistent pass rusher in 2021?

Free Agent profile: Inside linebacker Bobby Wagner – Mile High Report

Could the future Hall of Famer join Russell Wilson on the Broncos?

Is a Melvin Gordon reunion with Russell Wilson in Denver in the cards? – Mile High Report

Former teammates at Wisconsin, Melvin Gordon and Russell Wilson could re-unite and play together in Denver this season

NFL Free Agent profile: Tight end Robert Tonyan – Mile High Report

Could the former Packer’s time with Justin Outten and Nathaniel Hackett help the Broncos replace Noah Fant?

NFL Free Agent profile: Cornerback Mackensie Alexander – Mile High Report

Half of the Broncos’ top-four corners from 2021 are free agents. Should Alexander be called upon to fill a potential void?

NFL Free Agent profile: Cornerback Chris Harris Jr. – Mile High Report

Could the Broncos bring back an old friend to solve one of their needs on defense?

NFL Free Agent profile: Defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson – Mile High Report

Could Paton sign a former Viking to replace Shelby Harris?

NFL News

With Justin Herbert on rookie deal, Chargers still in good cap shape after Khalil Mack trade – ProFootballTalk

The Chargers will have about $25 million in cap space when the Mack trade becomes official at the start of the league year, according to OverTheCap.com.

That’s in large part because Herbert only counts $7.2 million against the cap in the third year of his rookie contract. A year from now, Herbert will be eligible for a new contract, and if he plays in 2022 like he played in 2021, he’ll surely be seeking one of the most lucrative contracts in NFL history. But in what may be the final year with Herbert playing on an absolute bargain of a contract, the Chargers are going all in.

Green Bay Needed to Bring Back Aaron Rodgers, No Matter the Cost – The Ringer

The Packers mortgaged their future to keep Rodgers—and like the Rams, Saints, and Eagles before them, they’re proving cap hell is infinitely better than quarterback purgatory

Panthers remain interested in Deshaun Watson – ProFootballTalk

Per the report, the Panthers believe they’ll have to surrender at least three first-round picks, another draft pick, and a young player or two. Alexander writes that the players would include safety Jeremy Chinn, defensive end Brian Burns, defensive tackle Derrick Brown, and/or cornerback Jaycee Horn. It’s unknown whether Watson would waive his no-trade clause for the Panthers. Coach Matt Rhule is currently believed to be on the hot seat entering 2022, raising the possibility that the Panthers could be looking for a new coach in what would be Watson’s second season.

Will Deshaun Watson’s criminal cases be resolved today? – ProFootballTalk

It ends today only if the grand jury decides not to charge Watson with any crime. Although there’s quiet optimism in Watson’s camp that he won’t be charged because the allegations against him don’t amount to criminal conduct, one or two misdemeanors are possible.

The door is closed for Colin Kaepernick – ProFootballTalk

The Seahawks were the only team to bring Kaepernick in for a visit. They opted not to add Kaepernick to a depth chart led by Russell Wilson, possibly because the team that supposedly embraces competition didn’t want Wilson to have any. Now that Wilson is gone, there’s no impediment to signing Kaepernick.