Russell Wilson was traded to the Denver Broncos and Aaron Rodgers confirmed that he will be back with the Packers in a flurry of NFL action yesterday.
The Russell Wilson trade caught many by surprise as he has been the face of the Seattle Seahawks franchise for the past decade after being drafted in the third round by the team in 2012.
NFL insider, Adam Schefter, reported that the Broncos and the Seahawks agreed to a trade that will send Wilson to Denver in return for two first-round picks, two second-round picks, one fifth-round pick, quarterback Drew Lock, tight end Noah Fant, and defensive end Shelby Harris.
Wilson led the Seahawks to the franchise’s lone championship in 2014, beating the Broncos 43-8 in Super Bowl XLVIII. He also has secured an impressive eight playoff appearances during his ten years in the league.
Wilson will be an immediate upgrade for the Broncos, who have been searching for a franchise quarterback since Peyton Manning retired in 2016.
In other NFL news, Aaron Rodgers took to Twitter on Tuesday afternoon to confirm that he will be returning to the Green Bay Packers for the 2022 season but clarified that nothing is signed yet.
Hey everyone, just wanted to clear some things up; YES I will be playing with the @packers next year, however, reports about me signing a contract are inaccurate, as are the supposed terms of the contract I “signed”. I’m very excited to be back 💪🏼 #year18❤️
— Aaron Rodgers (@AaronRodgers12) March 8, 2022
Reports earlier Tuesday said Rodgers agreed to a four-year, $200 million contract with the Packers to become the highest-paid player in NFL history. NFL Network reported Rodgers would receive a record $153 million guaranteed on a new deal that reduces his cap figure from his scheduled $46 million hit on the Packers’ 2022 ledger.
However, FanDuel’s Pat McAfee, a noted friend of Rodgers, said the financial terms of the deal weren’t accurate but confirmed through “sources” that Rodgers — also a frequent guest on McAfee’s podcast — agreed in principle to return to Green Bay on a “cap friendly” deal.
With Rodgers in place, the Packers used the franchise tag on wide receiver Davante Adams later Tuesday.
Rodgers, 38, was named MVP in February, claiming the honor for the second consecutive season.
Rodgers and the Packers mapped this climactic decision day as a step forward last offseason, when the level of acrimony between general manager Brian Gutekunst and Rodgers became apparent before the 2021 draft.
Gutekunst said in February the team placed “no deadlines” on Rodgers and would work to build a roster ready to compete for a Super Bowl. Gutekunst said the Packers “absolutely” want Rodgers back for his 18th season with the franchise.
In a May 2021 interview, Rodgers openly questioned the franchise’s loyalty, confessed he was bothered by the team drafting quarterback Jordan Love in the first round in 2020 when the roster had other needs, and came clean about his disdain for decisions to let veterans leave in free agency.
But a restructured contract and the idea that the 2021 season was set up as a potential “last dance” helped Rodgers and the front office find improved harmony.
He was heavily involved in discussions about personnel, including the Packers trading for wide receiver Randall Cobb. When offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett became head coach of the Denver Broncos, Gutekunst and Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur looped in Rodgers on the call to hire Tom Clements as the quarterbacks coach.
Copyright 2022 Thomson/Reuters (Additions for FISM News by Michael Cardinal)