Russell Wilson
While NFL trades can be seismic — and make no mistake, the Russell Wilson to Denver swap was colossal — transactions between teams cannot be adjudicated until years down the road.
Yet, in the Digital Age, folks want to know who won the trade now. Outwardly, the Denver Broncos hit a homerun, finally nailing down the QB1 slot for the first time since Peyton Manning’s retirement. And even when Manning and the Broncos won the Super Bowl in 2015, Manning was atrocious, posting nine touchdown passes to 17 interceptions. But nobody cared because it was Peyton Manning.
The Vikings could similarly trade their quarterback this offseason as Kirk Cousins desires a handsome contract extension, which may not align with Minnesota’s front office plans. So, interestingly, comparing and contrasting the asking price for Wilson — to what the Vikings would’ve had to offer — illuminates the hefty essence of the trade.
Use history as an example.
The Seahawks sent this trade capital to the Broncos for Wilson and a 4th-Round draft pick:
No matter what any analysis tidbit tells you — this is an enormous price tag. Is it worth it? Probably.
But let’s put this into terms you, the Vikings-fan reader, can examine. Exclude Kirk Cousins from the package as there is no trade equivalent to a QB1 on the Broncos end of the bargain.
What if your phone buzzed, in a non-Cousins alternate universe, and futuristically explained Russell Wilson was obtained for these players? What would you say?
Would you pull the trigger?
Of course, these insertions in the contextual deal could vary (Jeff Gladney instead of Jefferson, Ihmir Smith-Marsette instead of Osborn, etc.). They largely depend on the Seahawks subsequent drafting prowess. Yet, per the Vikings recent history, the aforementioned men on Minnesota’s end could feasibly be the price tag for Wilson.
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Trades always appear fancy on Day One. For full evaluation, though, they need years to play out.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. His YouTube Channel, VikesNow, debuts in March 2022. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
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