Former Seattle Seahawks linebacker KJ Wright has hit out at Russell Wilson’s trade to the Denver Broncos as he labelled the move ‘the biggest trade heist in NFL history’.
Ahead of the 2022 season, Wilson - who won Super Bowl XLVIII - was dealt to the Broncos for a bevvy of picks. In return for Wilson and a fourth round pick, Seattle received two first round picks, two second round picks, a fifth round selection and three players, including tight end Noah Fant and quarterback Drew Lock.
On top of the trade, the Broncos also signed Wilson to a lucrative five-year contract extension worth $245million to place him as the fourth highest-paid quarterback in the NFL behind only Deshaun Watson, Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts in terms of guaranteed money over their contracts. Wilson struggled mightily during his first season in Denver as the Broncos finished 5-11 with fans and figures assessing the trade as an undeniable win for the Seahawks.
Back in February, The Athletic reported Wilson had requested the Seahawks’ ownership to fire head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider before he was traded to Denver. Given his current struggles, it appears the Seahawks benefited most from the trade despite Wilson’s heroics under-centre during his time in Seattle.
Wright played alongside Wilson for several seasons in Seattle, but he believes Carroll and Schneider ‘look like geniuses’ for completing the move. Appearing on Good Morning Football, Wright believes the stakes couldn’t be higher for the quarterback, adding: “If Russell doesn’t figure it out this year, his legacy is definitely on the line.”
Wright was a member of the vaunted ‘Legion of Boom’ defensive unit that dominate the NFL in the last decade, with the linebacker starring alongside Bobby Wagner, Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas and more. The dominant defence ultimately helped Seattle win the Super Bowl as they crushed the Broncos 43-8 to set the largest margin of victory for an underdog in NFL history.
Wilson could be better placed for success in 2023 with head coach Sean Payton set to lead the AFC West franchise. The iconic former New Orleans Saints coach has already made chances since arriving, insisting no outside coaching will be permitted - including Wilson’s personal quarterback coach.
The 34-year-old has been warned his contract doesn’t mean he will play, with performances set to dictate whether Wilson starts for the Broncos under Payton. The new Denver head coach says the quarterback is already getting up to speed with how he wants his offence to look in 2023.
“These guys are doing well, and (Wilson is) picking it up - the timing and all of those things that are required,” said Payton. “For the first five weeks, we were just lifting and running. Now we're getting into some football activity.
“We are ahead of schedule on the practice. He's picking it up good - he looks good and looks sharp.”
