Although the Broncos have been in need at quarterback for six years, GM George Paton said Seahawks GM John Schneider initiated the Russell Wilson trade talks. A Schneider text to Paton got the ball rolling on the trade at the Senior Bowl, Ryan O’Halloran of the Denver Post notes.
Schneider expected the Broncos to be interested, and the talks heated up at the Combine. While Denver was also linked to Aaron Rodgers for nearly a year, Paton said Wilson was the team’s No. 1 priority throughout the offseason. The Broncos planned to do “anything it took” to acquire Wilson, Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com tweets. The deal sent the Seahawks five draft picks and three players, including quarterback Drew Lock, who as of now figures to factor in prominently in Seattle’s post-Wilson QB plans.
The Seahawks’ official statements, while complimentary of the nine-time Pro Bowler overall, included interesting language. All three indicated the quarterback wanting out catalyzed the trade. Jody Allen‘s statement said Wilson “made it clear” he wanted a change, with the owner’s short message also saying she hopes the next Seahawks squad will be “fully engaged.” (A previous report by The Athletic included select anonymous players accusing Wilson of checking out last season, which seems to conflict with the QB’s quest to return earlier than expected from thumb surgery.) Pete Carroll‘s statement backed Allen’s, as could be expected, and said Wilson “wanted something different.”
Wilson called the separation mutual, and Schneider said Wednesday he did not expect the future Hall of Fame passer to sign another Seahawks extension, via ESPN.com’s Brady Henderson (on Twitter). Wilson’s 2019 extension expires after the 2023 season, though the Broncos will be expected to re-sign him either this offseason or in 2023.
A conversation with Paton and Wilson’s faith in the Broncos’ roster prompted him to waive his no-trade clause and target Denver as a destination, O’Halloran adds, and Paton said the Broncos’ new quarterback was already en route to Denver when news of Rodgers’ extension surfaced last week. John Elway, who is now a Broncos consultant after 10 years as the team’s GM and one in a different executive role, was one of the few people Paton brought into the loop on the prospective Wilson trade.
In landing the 33-year-old Wilson, the Broncos will presumably have a longer run with this particular trade acquisition than they did with Peyton Manning or would have with Rodgers. Wilson is still planning to play past age 40.
It is very worrisome that Pete and John are so high on Drew Lock. They were also jacked up about trading for Charlie Whitehurst and also the Matt Flynn signing. It’s ok to salary dump your QB, but you had better have a plan to replace him. If you are kicking the tires on Drew Lock or trying to be in on Deshaun Watson (gross!!) you have made a mistake as an organization.
I’m not a Seahawks fan but I actually like Lock in Seattle. He’s got a couple great targets and let’s be honest the trade was more about the haul of picks Seattle got back in return.
Of course. The concern is that they will have traded Wilson for the picks and then squander them with horrible/ questionable draft choices like LJ (healthy scratch)Collier for example. In fact, their drafts have been pretty terrible the past 5-6 years, producing only one all pro (the punter). I’m questioning their ability to evaluate talent and pointing out that the choice to take Lock back in the trade furthers that concern! No way is Drew Lock the QB of the next Seahawks “run” so why is he on the roster?? Any QB who throws a pass in Seattle will have a “couple of good targets”. Drew Lock is not an NFL starter.
I dont think anybody thinks Lock is the QB of the future…he is a gap. They did need a body on the roster. Right now there really isn’t anything I see worth trading the draft picks they just got. Watson maybe as player but as a human happy they are not. This trade you are right will be really judged by what they do with picks and I agree they have gotten too cute with picks over last several years…I think believing some of the accolades media gave them for past success. As for team all in…I think its typical nfl smoke and mirrors.
Three people think that Drew Lock is the future: Drew Lock, Drew’s grandma, and Pete. Giving the Broncos a 4th rounder and taking Lock back in the deal is what bothers me. Who would give Seattle a fourth rounder for Lock? Exactly! If Seattle needs a body, they could have drafted one in the fourth round. The whole issue is that if/when you trade a franchise quarterback and franchise legend, you better have a plan. They traded their QB with no path to the next one. Like I said, if you are kicking the tires on Lock you have made a mistake as an organization.
Thing is, Lock had good targets in Denver. A change of scenery could be great, but Lock will not be playing behind a better line than he left and will be learning a new offense.
Lock’s issues are mostly mechanical and mental (constantly throwing off his back foot, not having pocket awareness in regards to pressure, not taking care of the ball on broken plays, misreading a defense, focusing on certain targets).
His physical talent is immense, and he plays extremely hard. He has a sincere dedication to his teammates, even as a backup, and was well liked by his fellow players. Unfortunately in his starts, he kept committing the same errors without any sign of improvement. Denver had a pretty bad offensive coaching staff in each of Lock’s years, but I still doubt that he will completely fix those issues if he hasn’t already. He may get better, and the Seahawks may protect him more with playcalling and improve his production, but I don’t know if he will ever be a five year starter in the league. I could be wrong, who knows.
Wilson was on his way out, one way or the other. So Drew Lock in a lackluster QB draft year is not a bad move.
Is he the future QB of Seattle? I’d say odds are probably less than 50%, but Carroll is good with younger players so hopefully they can can some good production out of him to take the next step.
With 5 picks, now would be a good time to fortify your offensive line etc. in lieu of the chance they’re drafting a QB next year…or if Lock grows beyond expectation.
I know Wilson was on his way out and so did Seattle. That makes this worse! They made no plans to secure another NFL QB before trading the one they had. I seem to be the only person who doesn’t care about RW “happiness”. He was under contract for two more years. That would have been enough time to identify a QB and figure out how to bring them in. I don’t trust these guys with the draft picks (LJ Collier) or to evaluate QB’s. They got lucky with RW they wanted Matt Flynn.
Well, the good part about is that people don’t really know how to evaluate QBs. If they did Watson wouldn’t be the white knight of the NFL like some GM’s jet-planing sordid affair.
Where did Prescott come from?
Where did Minshew come from?
Why on earth won’t people get over crap and hire Kapernick?
or my favorite…Tom Brady…6th round?
Because the QB evaluation world just doesn’t make sense. Scouts have their moments, but it’s not a bulletproof process by any means.
It took Denver 6 years, Wilson is their 12th “man” at QB. So don’t think that Seattle could’ve fixed it in 2 years. Be glad they have the picks and look for diamonds in the rough. That’s about as secure as it’s going to get for Seattle, right now anyway. That or pile up the picks together and move up the draft.
That is a great explanation of why they should not have trade RW in the first place! The answer was to fire the GM and coach and let RW pick new ones. Seattle may be looking for the next thirty years like the Browns, Bears, or Commanders. Then you do something desperate like trade 3 first rounders for Watson, or Worse, trade for Carson Wentz! (JK. Watson is way worse!!)
Turning the corner should mean telling Pete thanks for the memories.
Yeah but that should have happened before the RW trade! We should have hired Nathaniel Hackett and kept our QB. Now they should all lay in the bed they made.
I was out of the country last week. So please anyone tell me why didn’t the Giants go after Wilson?
Maybe they did? Wilson had a no trade clause and perhaps didn’t want to go there. Also, it sounds like Seattle initiated the conversation with Denver. Pete really likes Drew Lock, a fact I find down right disturbing.