Report: Russell Wilson no-trade clause loomed large over trade negotiations

The Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks have agreed, in principle, to a trade involving superstar quarterback Russell Wilson. Adam Schefter of ESPN reported the trade Wednesday afternoon sending Wilson to Denver for multiple draft picks and three players.

There were many who believed that the Broncos were in the running for Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but according to recent reports, Denver had one quarterback in mind, and that was Wilson. In return, Wilson never looked past Denver as a potential place to play next season, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

“My understanding was this was the only team Russell Wilson wanted to go to.”A couple of teams had talked to Seattle about trading for Russell Wilson. Washington Commanders were among the teams that made an offer. It was a big offer, as good or even better than this. Russell Wilson wanted to go to the Denver Broncos. It’s a place he likes, it’s near his family, it’s on the West Coast and they have a roster that is essentially stacked at receiver, on defense, at running back. All they needed was a quarterback, and they got one,” Said Rapoport.

Wilson, 33, has been with the Seahawks ever since the organization selected him with the 75th-overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. Though Wilson fell all the way to the third round, the 5-foot-11, 215-pound quarterback quickly made a name for himself as a franchise quarterback. Not only has Wilson been selected to the second-team All-Pro roster (2019), but he’s been named to nine NFL Pro Bowl rosters, while winning Super Bowl XLVIII for the Seahawks. But several years after Wilson defeated the Denver Broncos in that 2014 Super Bowl, he’s now been traded to Denver, leaving Seattle with a number of quarterbacking questions.

Full compensation revealed in Denver Broncos, Russell Wilson deal

The Denver Broncos sent the NFL world into a frenzy on Tuesday afternoon, trading for Russell Wilson via the Seattle Seahawks. A Super Bowl-winning quarterback will once again be playing in the Mile High City, hoping to bring another Lombardi Trophy to the franchise.

Full details have begun to be revealed, with Denver sending a heavy package up to Seattle to acquire Wilson.

First, fellow quarterback Drew Lock will be involved, according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. Lock was a second-round draft pick for the Broncos back in 2019 and started in 21 games, but he figures to take the reins from Wilson. Denver only won eight of those and realized he was no longer going to be their franchise quarterback. Now, Lock will head to Seattle entering the final season of his rookie contract.

Tight end Noah Fant is on the move as well, adding to the offensive compensation Seattle will be getting back, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Fant is viewed as one of the best young players at his positions, having 1,905 yards throughout his three-season after being drafted in the first round of the 2019 draft.

Seahawks getting defensive help and picks too

Another quality player will be heading to Seattle in defensive lineman Shelby Harris. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Harris was considered a “locker-room leader” for Denver. Harris had been with the Broncos since 2017, playing in 75 games while recording 203 tackles, 34 tackles for a loss, 25 passes defended, and 44 quarterback hits, and he served as an integral piece in the Wilson trade.

Seattle will be getting a heavy draft haul as well. Rapoport reports two first-round, two second-round, and a fifth-round pick will be heading the Seahawks’ way. As to exactly what years the picks are in has not been specified.

Denver will be getting back a fourth-round pick as well.