When the Seahawks traded Russell Wilson to Denver in March 2022, the thought was that the Broncos had their quarterback for maybe the rest of the decade, while Seattle would use the package of players and draft picks it received in return to begin a lengthy rebuilding process.
But circumstance and perception can change quickly in the NFL, as Wednesday's stunning news that Denver will bench Wilson for the rest of this year and could cut him by March shows.
Seattle has used that package of picks and players to stay competitive and in the running for a second straight playoff appearance in the post-Wilson era, while it is Denver facing a big unknown of where it goes now.
All of which makes it a good time to review the terms of the trade.
Denver received
Quarterback Russell Wilson: Wilson may well have played his last game as a Bronco. If he has, he will finish with a record in Denver of 11-19, a 42-to-19 touchdown-to-interception ratio and a passer rating of 90.9 compared with his 101.8 in Seattle.
Defensive end Eyioma Uwazurike: Seattle also threw in a fourth-round 2022 pick back to Denver, which the Broncos used on Uwazurike, the 116th overall pick out of Iowa State. He made 17 tackles in eight games last season. But in July it was announced that he had been suspended indefinitely for gambling on NFL games last season.
Seattle received
Tight end Noah Fant: Seattle picked up a $6.8 million option on Fant's contract for this season in the spring of 2022. Fant is a regular part of Seattle's tight end rotation and has 27 receptions for 355 yards this season after catching 50 passes for 486 yards and four touchdowns in 2022.
Quarterback Drew Lock: The Seahawks all along insisted they made getting Lock a priority in trade talks. He finally got a chance to show why this year. After not playing a snap last season, Lock started two games this month when Geno Smith was injured and led the Seahawks to a come-from-behind, 20-17 win over the Eagles on Dec. 18. Lock is 48-for-76 passing for 543 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions and a rating of 81.2 He can be a free agent in March.
Defensive end Shelby Harris: After one year with the Seahawks, Harris was released in March in a move that saved almost $9 million in cash and cap. He later signed a one-year, $3.5 million deal with Cleveland and has 16 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 15 games this season.
Seattle also received five draft picks that it turned into six — first- and second-round picks in 2022 and 2023, and a fifth-round pick in 2022.
Left tackle Charles Cross: Cross, the ninth overall pick of the 2022 draft out of Mississippi State, has started 29 games at Seattle at left tackle the past two seasons, 12 this year after overcoming an early toe injury that caused him to miss three games.
Outside linebacker Boye Mafe: Mafe, taken with the 40th overall pick in 2022, leads the Seahawks with nine sacks and 15 quarterback hits in a breakout second season.
Outside linebacker Tyreke Smith: Smith was one of two players Seattle received for trading the third of the three 2022 picks it got for Wilson. Seattle dealt pick 145 overall to Kansas City for picks 158 and 233. Seattle then drafted Smith at 158. He spent 2022 on injured reserve and played in one game before being released and signed to the practice squad. He was signed by Arizona on Dec. 15 but has yet to play for the Cardinals.
Wide receiver Dareke Young: Young was taken at 233 with the second of the two picks from the Chiefs. Young has played in just four games this season and has no receptions or targets.
Cornerback Devon Witherspoon: With the first of two picks Seattle got in the 2023 draft as part of the Wilson deal, the Seahawks took Witherspoon fifth overall. Witherspoon quickly emerged as a starter, playing both left cornerback and the nickel spot, and has 65 tackles and a team-high 16 pass defenses. He has missed the last two games with a hip pointer but could be back this week.
Outside linebacker Derick Hall: Hall, taken 37th out of Auburn, has been a regular in the team's edge rusher rotation and has 23 tackles and four quarterback hits in 13 games.
