Russell Wilson led the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl championship. (GeekWire file photo / Kevin Lisota)
The Russell Wilson era seems to be over in Seattle.
The Seahawks have reportedly agreed to a deal that will send the team’s star quarterback to the Denver Broncos, ending ongoing speculation about whether Wilson would stay in the city where he won a Super Bowl championship and would become the face of the franchise.
The trade, first reported Tuesday by NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissoro, would send Wilson to the Broncos on a “huge trek” that includes multiple first-round draft picks, plus additional picks and players.
Blockbuster: The #Seahawks and #broncos have agreed in principle on a transaction that will send Pro Bowl QB Russell Wilson to Denver for a massive catch, including multiple first round draft picks, plus additional picks and players, per sources
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 8, 2022
Drafted in 2012, Wilson holds nearly every Seahawks passing record, according to Seattle Sports, and has a career record of 104-53-1 with 292 touchdowns, 87 interceptions and 37,059 yards.
While the loss of nine-time Pro Bowl QB, who arguably has a lot of good football left to play, is easily one of the biggest deals in Seattle sports history, the loss to Seattle would echo far beyond the playing surface of Lumen Field.
Russell Wilson shoots a video with Zillow Group employees and CEO Spencer Rascoff, with co-founder Rich Barton and Lloyd Frink in the front row. (GeekWire file photo / Kevin Lisota)
A fixture in the community outside of sports, Wilson has left his mark on technology, entrepreneurship and philanthropy. He has had a hand in multiple startup activities and has been a pitchman for companies like Alaska Airlines and Microsoft.
Along with his music superstar wife Ciara, Wilson just opened their first clothing store in Seattle, The House of LR&C, where the couple showed up two weeks ago to party with shoppers.
Wilson launched his brand management and manufacturing company West2East Empire in Seattle. He made an attempt on social media with an app called TraceMe that was acquired by Nike in 2019. That startup was originally backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who considered Wilson a friend.
Students from Foster High School in Tukwila gather around Russell Wilson and Ciara and special King County Library cards with the couple at an event in February 2019. (GeekWire File Photo / Kurt Schlosser)
“Russell is one of the most engaging entrepreneurs I’ve ever met, both in and out of sports,” Jason LeeKeenan, who co-founded TraceMe with Wilson, told GeekWire. “His impact on Seattle, even beyond the Seahawks, has been incredible — from founding tech startups like TraceMe, to his recent fashion endeavors and all the incredible nonprofit work he’s done.
“As a Seattle sports fan, I’m bummed about it, but I’m also excited about Russell personally and I know he will succeed on and off the field wherever he goes,” he added.
Wilson is also among many of the big names in Seattle’s tech and other industries with an ownership stake in the Sounders FC soccer team.
His regular visits with sick children at Seattle Children’s Hospital have made him a hero among those who don’t even wear his No. 3 shirt. Wilson launched his Why Not You Foundation to fight poverty through education.
The Seahawks went 7-10 last season as Wilson missed three games with a finger injury. Trade talks heated up as the off-season approached and rumors circulated about Wilson’s desire to move forward.
This post Report: Seahawks trade Russell Wilson to Denver, ending historic Seattle chapter that eclipsed sport
was original published at “https://www.geekwire.com/2022/report-seahawks-trading-russell-wilson-to-denver-ending-historic-seattle-chapter-that-eclipsed-sports/”
