Broncos' Super Bowl odds get big boost following Russell Wilson trade

Shortly after news broke of Aaron Rodgers' historic four-year deal to stay in Green Bay, the Denver Broncos completed a blockbuster trade to bring nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson to the Mile High City.

Following the announcement of the Seattle Seahawks' deal with Denver, the Broncos' Super Bowl odds jumped from +2800 to +1200. They now sit behind the Buffalo Bills (+750), Kansas City Chiefs (+850), Packers (+1000), and San Francisco 49ers (+1100) on the odds board.

Just last week at the NFL Scouting Combine, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll claimed the Seahawks had "no intention" of trading Wilson. But the superstar quarterback has allegedly been open to the idea of a trade as far back as last offseason.

While the exact terms of the deal are unknown at the moment, the Seahawks are expected to receive multiple first-round picks, plus additional picks and players, according to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero. Denver quarterback Drew Lock and tight end Noah Fant are also reportedly part of the trade.

Wilson must pass a physical and waive his no-trade clause in order for the deal to be finalized, which will conclude his 10-year stint in Seattle, where he won the franchise its only Super Bowl title in 2013. That victory came in a 43-8 blowout against Denver, who was then led by five-time league MVP Peyton Manning.

Since Manning retired from football in 2015, Denver has struggled to find a long-term quarterback, shuffling through a number of starting signal callers, including Trevor Siemian, Brock Osweiler, Paxton Lynch, Case Keenum, Joe Flacco, Brandon Allen, Teddy Bridgewater, and Lock.

Wilson is likely to be the missing piece of the puzzle for a franchise that ranked third in scoring defense and eighth in yards allowed, but was bottom 10 in scoring offense.

Rodgers' decision reportedly did not influence Wilson trade

Entering the offseason, Rodgers was primarily linked to Denver after the Broncos hired Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett as their new head coach. Hackett served as Green Bay's coordinator from 2019-2021, a span in which Rodgers won the NFL MVP award twice in 2020 and 2021.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Broncos' trade for Wilson had nothing to do with Rodgers' decision to remain in Green Bay, and that Denver general manager George Paton inquired about Wilson at least two weeks ago.

The Wilson trade cannot become official until March 16, the start of the new league year.

Wilson started 14 games for Seattle last season and tallied 3,113 passing yards, 25 touchdown passes, and six interceptions as the Seahawks finished with a 7-10 record, the first losing season of Wilson's career.

Wilson's legacy will live on in Seattle

Despite a down year in Seattle, the 33-year-old set a new NFL record by recording his 113th win, which gave him more victories through 10 seasons (regular season and playoffs) than any other quarterback in NFL history.

Wilson was selected in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft by Seattle and led his team to an 11-5 record, plus a playoff berth, as a rookie.

He will conclude his tenure in Seattle with a 104-53-1 record and 37,059 passing yards and 292 touchdown passes (both franchise records). He is also 9-7 in the postseason, with two Super Bowl appearances.