Broncos’ Russell Wilson Trade Labeled Worst NFL Move of Decade
The Denver Broncos’ 2022 trade for quarterback Russell Wilson has been named the worst NFL trade of the past ten years by Bleacher Report. The deal, which sent two first-round picks, two second-round picks, a fifth-round selection, and three players to Seattle, has left Denver with $85 million in dead cap spread across 2024 and 2025 after Wilson’s release last year.
Denver compounded the trade’s damage by signing Wilson to a $242.6 million extension before he ever took a snap for the team. The move backfired spectacularly as Wilson went 11-19 over two seasons while clashing with head coach Sean Payton. Wilson eventually revived his career slightly in Pittsburgh last season before signing with the New York Giants this offseason.
Remarkably, the Broncos rebounded quickly from the Wilson disaster. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix led Denver to a 10-7 record and playoff appearance in 2024 – the franchise’s first postseason berth since 2015. Nix’s cost-controlled contract through 2027 provides crucial financial relief as the team continues absorbing the Wilson cap hits.
While Cleveland’s Deshaun Watson trade often draws more criticism, analysts argue Denver’s Wilson deal may actually be more damaging long-term given the draft capital surrendered. The Broncos remain hampered in roster building as they work through the financial fallout.
Denver’s ability to reach the playoffs with Nix offers hope the franchise has turned the corner. However, the Wilson trade serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of desperate quarterback moves – one that will likely influence NFL front offices for years to come.
