The Denver Broncos’ long search for a franchise quarterback has finally come to an end.
The Denver Broncos have been searching for an answer at quarterback since Peyton Manning retired following a win in Super Bowl 50. Since that win, the team has started 11 different players at the quarterback position.
To get their new guy, Russell Wilson, the Broncos paid an incredibly steep price. Here is what they gave up.
Seahawks get a total of five picks, three players from Broncos
Previously, I talked about what it might cost to get Aaron Rodgers out of Green Bay. It turns out that Wilson was every bit as expensive.
The Broncos gave up two first-round picks, two second-round picks and a fifth-rounder. On top of that, the Seahawks are getting Drew Lock, Noah Fant and Shelby Harris. This is an absolute haul for Pete Carroll’s Seahawks.
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It’s easy to see why Broncos general manager George Paton wanted to make this deal. It was time to head in a new direction. He didn’t like his options and saw he probably wasn’t going to improve the position through free agency or the draft.
Wilson’s name has been mentioned as a possible trade candidate for the Broncos before and it was assumed that the Broncos would have to give up a lot to get him, but this much? It’s clear that Paton was willing to be bold and you have to credit him for that.
Now the question will be how the Broncos build the team around the 33-year old Wilson and how soon it can become a contender in the AFC West.
Why the Broncos gave up too much
When you acquire one of the league’s best quarterbacks, it’s clear that it’s going to be costly. The draft capital that Paton parted with was substantial, but it was to be expected in a deal like this.
Losing Lock won’t hurt the team because the Broncos were not going to give him another shot to be the starter in all likelihood. Similar to when the Broncos signed Manning, they traded Tim Tebow not long after. He was done with the team.
But giving up Fant AND Harris is a bit much. One of those guys would have been sufficient, but their departures leave big holes at their respective positions. The Broncos are already thin along the defensive line in terms of solid options and with Fant gone, Albert Okwuegbunam and Shaun Beyer are the only tight ends on the roster.
These are spots where the team will have to focus on in free agency and the draft but this is the price to pay for a premium quarterback.
Broncos Country is likely going to be thrilled with the addition of Wilson, and rightfully so. It’s not every day that a 9-time Pro Bowl quarterback joins your squad.
But the price tag on this move was a bit too high.