The 2022 NFL Free Agency period is going to be an absolute blast for the Denver Broncos now that Russell Wilson has been acquired.
After it was announced that Aaron Rodgers would be returning to the Green Bay Packers and reportedly on a renewed contract, I was like many of the rest of you — wondering what in the world the Denver Broncos were going to do next at the QB position.
The thought of trading for Russell Wilson felt like even more of a pipe dream than Rodgers just because it was already reported that the Seahawks had declined a trade offer for Wilson from the Washington Commanders.
Now we know why, depending on how long this has been in the works.
Denver Broncos make historic trade to acquire Russell Wilson
The Broncos traded eight assets to the Seattle Seahawks to land Wilson in a trade.
Among those eight assets were three players: Quarterback Drew Lock, tight end Noah Fant, and defensive lineman Shelby Harris.
While it’s always tough to see any player go whether they are traded or released, the Denver Broncos and general manager George Paton had to give something up to get an elite NFL quarterback, and they did exactly that.
In addition to those players, the Broncos gave up two first-round picks, two second-round picks, and a fifth-round pick.
Depending on whether those second-round picks are spread from 2022 to 2023 (that detail hasn’t been reported yet), the Broncos might still have three top-100 picks in the 2022 NFL Draft to use after this trade.
First things first, though — 2022 NFL Free Agency.
The Denver Broncos are not done upgrading the roster and even with Russell Wilson counting $24 million against the salary cap in 2022, the Broncos will be able to make plenty of moves to surround him with talent.
Here are three free agents that should undoubtedly be on the radar now that Wilson is in the fold…