Football

Christ-following QB Russell Wilson reportedly traded to Denver Broncos

By Jon Ackerman Mar 8, 2022
Russell Wilson at the Pro Bowl, Feb. 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

In October, Russell Wilson joined Peyton Manning as the only NFL quarterbacks to record 100 wins in their first 10 seasons. Starting next season, Wilson will attempt to join Manning in achieving another significant accomplishment: lead the Denver Broncos to a Super Bowl title.

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As reported by multiple sources Tuesday, the Seattle Seahawks traded their franchise quarterback to the Denver Broncos. The blockbuster deal, according to NFL.com, has Seattle also sending a fourth-round pick to Denver, and receiving two first-round draft picks, two second-round picks, a fifth-rounder, as well as quarterback Drew Lock, defensive tackle Shelby Harris and tight end Noah Fant. Wilson needs to pass a physical and waive his no-trade clause for the deal to be finalized once the new league year begins March 16.

Wilson has been to nine Pro Bowls and won Super Bowl XLVIII (over Manning’s Broncos) since being drafted by the Seahawks in the third round of the 2012 draft. He’s started each of the 158 NFL games he’s played, accumulating a 104-53-1 record.

Only this past year did he experience his first losing season, as he went 6-8 as the team’s starter and missed three games. The disappointing season may have led Wilson to be receptive to a trade.

The Broncos, meanwhile, are seeking stability at quarterback, which they haven’t had since Manning retired following his Super Bowl 50 triumph in 2015-16. According to ESPN, the Broncos have used 11 different starting QBs since the 2016 season, tied with Washington for the most in the NFL over that span.

Denver’s next quarterback will be one exhibiting strong leadership on and off the field. In addition to being one of the league’s elite signal-callers, he’s also the reigning Bart Starr Award winner — given annually to the player who best exemplifies outstanding character and leadership in the home, on the field, and in the community — and the 2020 Walter Payton Man of the Year for his excellence on and off the field.

Wilson’s heart for service stems from his faith in Christ. His bio on Twitter, where he has 5.6 million followers, says, “I want to Love like Jesus!” And he often posts messages expressing his faith.

 

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Prior to what ended up being his final home game for the Seahawks, Wilson and his wife, Ciara, announced a $2.7 million donation to Seattle Children’s Hospital’s immunotherapy program through their Why Not You Foundation. The money will help fund treatment to fight pediatric cancer.

After that game, the 33-year-old Wilson pointed to his faith as the driving force behind his desire to serve.

“I believe that God’s given me so much ability but also so much opportunity to serve, and I just thank God every day I get to serve and to give back and to help,” he said. “And that’s what’s been probably the coolest part of the journey is just to be able to make a difference for people and to see kids walk in with cancer and then to be able to help raise funds or to be able to encourage them, give them a word of ‘Why not you?’ or whatever it may be, give them that glimpse of hope.”

Wilson’s first regular-season game with the Broncos could come as soon as Thursday, Sept. 8, when the Super Bowl-champion Los Angeles Rams will host a team yet to be determined to start the 2022 regular season. The full 2022 NFL schedule will be released in April or May.

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