The Russell Wilson era in Denver is officially over.
This wasn’t surprising. The Broncos signaled its end before Week 17 when they benched Wilson for Jarrett Stidham at quarterback. It was a move designed to ensure the veteran quarterback’s injury guarantees wouldn’t trigger, preventing a rebuild and keeping him on the roster longer than necessary.
That doesn’t mean it’s easy to comprehend, however. Denver’s Wilson trade was supposed to be the sequel to Peyton Manning’s arrival and subsequent Super Bowl wins. Instead it’s one of the most disastrous deals in league history. It’s also not even close to being finished with these Broncos; Wilson’s record $85 million in dead salary cap commitments will be an albatross the team wears around its neck for both the 2024 AND 2025 seasons.
So just how bad was this trade? Let’s unpack the whole thing now that we know the full extent of Wilson’s reign in Colorado.
What the Broncos got in the trade
Here’s what Denver received in its Wilson deal:
- Two years of the league’s 28th-best quarterback (0.035 expected points added (EPA) per play, behind Daniel Jones and just ahead of Gardner Minshew II).
- An 11-19 record in games Wilson started.
- A 90.9 passer rating, 10.9 points lower than his career average as a Seahawk.
- $35.4 million in dead salary cap space for 2024.
- $49.6 million in dead salary cap space for 2025.
- Zero playoff berths.
- Zero winning seasons.
- DL Eyioma Uwazurike, who was suspended by the NFL for all of 2023 due to violations of the league’s gambling policies.
What the Seahawks got in the trade
Here’s what Seattle received in return for the league’s 28th best quarterback.
- TE Noah Fant
- QB Drew Lock
- DL Shelby Harris
- OT Charles Cross
- EDGE Boye Mafe
- LB Tyreke Smith
- WR Dareke Young
- CB Devon Witherspoon
- EDGE Derick Hall
- A reason to start Geno Smith, the league’s 16th-best quarterback over the last two seasons.
- Two playoff berths.
- Zero losing seasons.
