Russell Wilson’s first season as a member of the Denver Broncos did not go according to plan. Sent from the Seattle Seahawks to Denver last offseason, the future Hall of Famer put up his worst statistical performance since entering the league back in 2012. In the process, he led Denver to a disastrous 4-11 record in 15 starts.
According to several reports, this deal likely wouldn’t have come to fruition if Wilson had not exercised his no-trade clause.
Sports Illustrated’s Greg Bishop reported recently that the Philadelphia Eagles were extremely high on Wilson as a replacement for then-unproven quarterback Jalen Hurts. “The Eagles really wanted him,” Bishop said. NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport had previously noted that heading to Philadelphia was “something he (Wilson) wasn’t into.”
Hold on here one second. Imagine the trickle-down effect around the NFL if Wilson had accepted a trade to the Eagles. It would’ve had a major impact on the entirety of the 2022 NFL season.
As Russell Wilson was struggling in Denver, Hurts found himself as a legitimate league MVP candidate with the Eagles. They finished first in the NFC with a 14-3 record, only to run roughshod through opponents en route to a Super Bowl appearance against the Kansas City Chiefs. To say Hurts vastly outplayed Wilson would also be an understatement:
- Russell Wilson stats (2022): 60.5% completion, 3,524 yards, 19 total TD, 11 INT
- Jalen Hurts stats (2022): 66.5% completion, 3,701 yards, 35 total TD, 6 INT
Not only would have Wilson found himself on the Eagles if he had not exercised his no-trade clause, but Hurts would’ve also been calling another NFL city home. It’s a crazy scenario to think about in an alternate universe.
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Russell Wilson and Jalen Hurts in vastly different situations
Wilson, 34, ended up inking a five-year, $242.6 million contract extension with Denver once he was traded from Seattle. Following his first season in Mile High, head coach Nathaniel Hackett was fired. That was in large part due to Wilson’s struggles.
In turn, the Broncos pulled off a blockbuster trade for former New Orleans Saints Super Bowl-winning head coach Sean Payton. They now have all of their chips on the table in hopes that this duo can lead the organization back to league-wide relevance.
Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, Hurts is coming off a record-breaking Super Bowl performance in a narrow loss to the Chiefs. He also inked a whopping five-year, $255 million contract extension with the Eagles back in April.
One decision by a future Hall of Famer changed the entire dynamics of the NFL. In turn, it gave Hurts an opportunity to prove himself. Now heading into the 2023 campaign, Hurts is seen as the vastly superior quarterback in comparison to his future Hall of Fame counterpart.