NFL: Seattle Seahawks didn’t want to trade Russell Wilson, player wanted change

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll admitted that the team had no intention of trading quarterback Russell Wilson. However, he said, the 33-year-old wanted the change. 

The Denver Broncos acquired Wilson. The deal, which became official on Wednesday, involved Seattle sending tight end Noah Fant, quarterback Drew Lock, defensive end Shelby Harris, two first-round picks, No. 9 overall this year and a 2023 first-rounder; two second-round picks, No. 40 overall pick this year and a 2023 second-rounder, this year’s fifth-round pick to Denver. 

Seahawks chair Jody Allen in a statement said, “Russell made it clear he wanted this change.”

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Allen added that she ‘looks forward to welcoming our new players and to everyone being fully engaged’. 

General Manager John Schneider said that ‘it became evident that Russell was interested in playing elsewhere’. 

“This has always been a challenging time of year where we have consistently maintained a competitive approach to getting better as a team,” coach Carroll said. 

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“As Jody stated, Russ’ desire in doing something different afforded the organization an opportunity to compete in multiple ways. He has always been the ultimate competitor whose leadership and consistency helped shape our culture. Our franchise has won a lot of games and we will always be grateful for the exciting moments and incredible records.”

Wilson, one of the greatest in Seahawks history, was a nine-time Pro-Bowler in 10 seasons as the side’s quarterback. 

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The Broncos also re-signed two of their restricted free agents Monday, offensive tackle Calvin Anderson, a candidate to start at right tackle in 2022, and fullback/tight end Andrew Beck, who expects a bigger role in new head coach Nathaniel Hackett’s West Coast offense. Beck recently was named the national Salute to Service award winner.

Also Monday, the Broncos added free agent guard Ben Braden, who played in a combined 13 games for Green Bay over the last two seasons.