After much speculation about the future of both teams’ quarterback positions, the Broncos and Seahawks agreed to terms Tuesday to trade QB Russell Wilson to the Broncos in exchange for a players and picks package, sending shockwaves through the AFC West and the entire league.
The Broncos have been in quarterback-limbo since their victory in Super Bowl 50 and the retirement of Hall of Fame QB Peyton Manning. In Wilson, the Broncos are getting a former Super Bowl Champion and nine-time Pro Bowler. The Super Bowl champions in both 2021 and 2020, the Buccaneers and Rams, both brought in veteran quarterbacks in QB Tom Brady and QB Matthew Stafford on their way to Super Bowls.
The Seattle Seahawks are receiving the following package for their franchise quarterback:
- Two first-round picks
- Two second-round picks
- Fifth-round pick
- DL Shelby Harris
- TE Noah Fant
- QB Drew Lock
The Broncos will also receive a fourth-round pick in the trade.
AFC West Impact
Russell Wilson joins the Broncos in a division that already features the new-look Raiders and QB Derek Carr, Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, and Chargers QB Justin Herbert. While the NFC West was arguably the strongest division in 2021, the AFC West was not far behind, and the power-shift placing the AFC West at the top of the NFL is likely now complete.
The Raiders are now set to face a gauntlet of a schedule year-in and year-out for the foreseeable future. The good news for the Raiders is that they maybe have the best defensive player in the entire division in DE Maxx Crosby, who could be cashing in on a major contract extension in the near future.
Head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler have yet to answer the big Derek Carr question, who has only one year remaining on his contract. Don’t be surprised to see the McDaniels regime get aggressive this offseason to keep up in the arms race that has suddenly broken out in the AFC West.
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