Russell Wilson is being traded by the Seahawks to the Denver Broncos for a huge package in return.
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Wilson was set to count $37 million against Seattle’s salary cap this coming season.
His trade will save the Seahawks $11 million in 2022 cap space. The Seahawks also are releasing All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner, another franchise cornerstone who was drafted on the same day as Wilson in 2012, in a move that will save them $16.6 million in cap space.
The Seahawks take on $26 million in dead money by trading Wilson. Per ESPN Stats & Information research, that’s the second-most dead money a team has ever incurred, trailing the $33.8 million the Philadelphia Eagles ate in the Carson Wentz trade.
Wilson has two years and $51 million left on the four-year, $140 million extension he signed in April 2019.
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That includes base salaries of $19 and $22 million, with $5 million March roster bonuses in each year making up the remainder. Had Wilson remained on Seattle’s roster as of March 20, the Seahawks would have owed him his $5 million bonus.
Who Are The Broncos Trading For Russell Wilson?
The Denver Broncos have agreed to send a significant package of players and draft picks to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson.
The Broncos have agreed to trade quarterback Drew Lock, tight end Noah Fant, defensive lineman Shelby Harris, two first-round picks (2022 — No. 9 overall — and 2023), two second-round picks (2022 — No. 40 overall — and 2023) and a 2022 fifth-round selection to the Seahawks for Wilson and a 2022 fourth-round pick, sources said.
The trade gives Denver the quarterback it has sought since Peyton Manning retired, and it gives Seattle a foundation on which to rebuild without the quarterback who led the Seahawks to their only Super Bowl title.
The Seahawks are scheduled to play a home game against the Broncos next season.
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