A couple of years ago, the thought of Russell Wilson playing for a team other than the Seattle Seahawks was unfathomable. However, it became a reality this past week when the Seahawks sent their winningest QB in team history to the Denver Broncos in a monster trade. In exchange for Wilson, the Seahawks received two first round picks (2022, 2023), two second round picks (2022, 2023), a fifth round pick (2022) along with QB Drew Lock, TE Noah Fant and DL Shelby Harris. The Seahawks also sent the Broncos a fourth round pick (2022).
Broncos were a team that was considered a QB away from being a playoff caliber team. Last season they suffered some close losses that could’ve turned out differently if their QB play was better. They scored the 4th fewest points in the AFC, only the Jaguars, Texans and Jets scored less. And the problem can be pointed at the QB position. Lock shown he couldn’t lead this team to the playoffs and Teddy Bridgewater, a serviceable starter wasn’t able to put up the type of points needed to keep pace with the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Derek Carr and Justin Herbert.
The Broncos have a lot of young talent on the offensive side. They have a young upcoming back in Javonte Williams who shares time with veteran runner Melvin Gordon, a solid line and three gifted young receivers in Jerry Jeudy, Tim Patrick and Courtland Sutton. Their defense was not the issue at all. In fact, they had one of the best scoring defenses in the conference. Only the Bills and Patriots gave up fewer points than the Broncos in the AFC.
With the offensive challenges, bringing in Russell Wilson in wasn’t the only change they made. A few weeks earlier they parted ways with defensive minded head coach Vic Fangio and brought in former Green Bay Packers OC Nathaniel Hackett. The combination of the two changes can hopefully jump start a dormant offense that can keep up with the Chiefs, Chargers and Raiders.
Let Russ cook in the Mile High! We shall see!