At surface value, the Russell Wilson trade is immediately one of the biggest in NFL history. The Denver Broncos received a Hall of Fame quarterback towards the end of his prime, but nevertheless very much still in it, to booster a roster that is one of the best in the league on paper. The addition of Wilson makes Denver an immediate Super Bowl contender and the AFC West the toughest conference in football. New coach Nathaniel Hackett has an immediate path to success in an AFC conference that promises to be a slugfest in 2021.
For Seattle, this is the move that launches a soft rebuild. Their disruptive relationship with Wilson has been public for a long time and the trade offers plenty of pieces moving forward to retool during the twilight of coach Pete Carroll’s career. The ninth overall (Round 1) and 40th overall (Round 2) selections in 2022, first and second round selections in 2023, in addition to Noah Fant, Shelby Harris, and failed quarterback project Drew Lock. In short, one offensive and defensive starter in addition to two selections in April that likely start immediately.
For the Houston Texans, this massive trade package has exclusively led to speculation regarding what the team may eventually receive for their own disgruntled quarterback. Age, issues off the field, injury history, and how the NFL operates make drawing an apples-to-apples comparison between Wilson and Deshaun Watson difficult. However, one day after the trade there are some things Houston fans can safely assume.