Herschel Walker, Brett Favre, Deshaun Watson, and now…Russell Wilson?
When the Seattle Seahawks traded their franchise leader in every passing category to the Denver Broncos, most analysts thought Denver would be a team that could compete for a championship, or at least multiple playoff appearances.
Neither ended up happening.
Wilson was 11-19 as a starter with the Broncos and went through two different offensive coaches. Now, he’s been released after just two seasons in Denver and has left most NFL analysts wondering about the initial trade that brought the former Super Bowl-winning quarterback to Mile High.
To one NFL reporter, the trade that was has become the worst in league history.
Kimberly Martin Blasts Broncos for Russell Wilson Trade
ESPN NFL Reporter Kimberley A. Martin made it abundantly clear on First Take Wednesday morning that the trade for Wilson was a direct indictment on the Broncos franchise and not the quarterback.
“It is not Russell’s fault,” Martin said. “It’s the Broncos fault. … They are literally putting them in salary cap hell just to say, ‘Russell. You ain’t it.'”
Martin points to the $85 million dead cap charge that Denver is taking on by releasing Wilson at this stage as a reason for her conclusion. Add in a five-year, $245 million contract extension signed between the two sides to go along with five draft picks and three players sent to Seattle, and Martin struggles to find a trade that is worse for a team.
The full details of Wilson’s trade have now become a reality with the Seahawks acquiring tackle Charles Cross and cornerback Devon Witherspoon with first-round picks, pass rusher Boye Mafe, and Derick Hall, fifth-rounder Tyreke Smith, and three other veterans that have helped Seattle finish over .500 in each of the last two years.
Other trades that have been as lopsided as the one the Broncos gave the Seahawks include the Herschel Walker trade that sent three first-round picks, three second-round picks, a third and sixth-round pick, and a package of players who ended up leading the Cowboys to three Super Bowl titles and a dynasty in the early 1990s.
In a way, the Walker trade was similar for the Minnesota Vikings as it was for the Broncos. In the two full years following the deal in 1989, Minnesota finished below .500 and missed the playoffs both years.
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There are plenty of other trades as well that have been so lopsided, it cost people their jobs. Few deals have had the same amount of money tied to it as the Wilson deal, though, and it’s why it could very well be considered one of the worst trades in NFL history.
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