Getty Russell Wilson (left) and Pete Carroll (right) are heading towards a crucial offseason.
After more than a year of rumors, the Seattle Seahawks are trading Russell Wilson in a blockbuster deal with the Denver Broncos, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Wilson has a no-trade clause and will have to officially approve the deal.
“Blockbuster: The Seahawks and Broncos have agreed in principle on a trade sending nine-time Pro Bowl QB Russell Wilson to Denver for a massive haul, including multiple first-round draft picks, plus additional picks and players, per sources,” Pelissero tweeted on March 8.
The Seahawks are receiving quarterback Drew Lock, tight end Noah Fant, defensive lineman Shelby Harris, two first-round selections, two second-rounders and a fifth-round picks as part of the deal, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Seattle is sending Wilson and a fourth-round pick to the Broncos as part of the deal.
Lock was the No. 42 pick in the 2019 NFL draft but had been unable to take a firm grasp of the Broncos QB1 job since arriving in Denver. Lock has thrown for 4,440 yards, 25 touchdowns and 20 interceptions while completing 59.3 of his passes during his three seasons with the Broncos.
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The Seahawks Are Landing 3 Players & 5 Draft Picks as Part of the Trade
According to Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer, the Seahawks are receiving three players and five total draft picks as part of the deal, including two first-round selections. Wilson has two seasons remaining on his four-year, $140 million contract and is slated to make $19 million in 2022, per Spotrac.
“The trade is for three players (one being Drew Lock) and two first rounders and two second rounders and a fifth for Russell Wilson and a fourth,” Glazer detailed on Twitter.
Despite receiving Lock in the deal, the Seahawks are expected to explore adding another quarterback, including potentially in the upcoming 2022 draft.
The Seahawks Downplayed Trade Rumors at NFL Combine
The news comes after both Wilson and the Seahawks downplayed the trade rumors. Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll insisted the talks about Wilson with other teams were not significant.
“At this time of year, there’s conversations about everybody,” Carroll noted during his March 2 press conference when asked about teams inquiring about Wilson. “We’re talking about everybody and that’s common place for us to have conversations with teams about all of the players, particularly marquee players and that’s not changed.
“It’s been the same every year we’ve been here, so it’s the same as it’s been. We have no intention of making any move there, but the conversations, John [Schneider] has to field those, he always has but nothing specific to that.”
During a March 1 interview on NBC’s “Today,” Wilson shot down the idea that he would be traded by the Seahawks.
“Listen man, I love the East Coast, but I think the West Coast is better for me right now,” Wilson said. “I got my whole family over here, so. I’m from Richmond, I know what you mean. I got people hitting me up every day, all my friends and all that from the East Coast. But Seattle is the place that I’m at right now, and I love it and it is great.”