In March, the Seattle Seahawks and Russell Wilson mutually agreed to part ways after ten very successful seasons in the Pacific Northwest.
The move wasn’t really all that surprising because the future Hall of Famer was nearly traded the previous offseason. The team he was traded to however, was a bit of a surprise.
Wilson, who’s never been one to take veiled shots, seemed to take one at his former team, while boosting his new team and city.
The former N.C .State and Wisconsin signal caller had some slick things to say in an interview with Zac Stevens of DNVR.
“I said, hey, listen I want to make sure I go to a city that wants to win. I want to make sure I go to a team that wants to win,” Wilson said. “And I want to go to a city that knows how to win. And all three of those things were checked off the box here in Denver and so I think we’ve got a chance.”
These comments come on the heels of the Broncos just completing their mandatory minicamp last Thursday. Wilson was also seen at the Colorado Avalanche and Denver Nuggets playoff games since his arrival in the “Mile High City.”
In fact, he and wife Ciara were seen celebrating the Avalanche’s Game 1 Stanley Cup Finals win.
Wilson tweeted again following the team’s 7-0 win in Game 2. Once again showing how elated he is to be in a new place with a fresh start, supporting the other franchises in the city.
Did Wilson’s Comments Insinuate Seahawks Didn’t Wanna Win?
Wilson’s comments could’ve been a shot at the lack of team building the Seahawks did prior to him receiving his big money extension. Wilson was a third-round pick in 2012, meaning the Seahawks got him at a very low discounted rate for five seasons. In fact, Wilson only made $750,000 per season until his fifth season, which occurred in 2017. During that time the Seahawks failed to put a team around Wilson that could compete for a championship.
While he did consistently get them to the playoffs, they were never Super Bowl contenders after their heartbreaking loss to the Patriots on Wilson’s goal line interception.
Wilson carried the Hawks the last few seasons despite a below average defense and shoddy offensive line that allowed him to be the second-most hit QB in the league since 2017.
Broncos Open Season Against Seahawks
Wilson won’t have to wait long to face his former team, as the Broncos travel to face the Seahawks on NFL opening weekend.
Wilson says he’ll try to keep his emotions in check.
“I think it’s going to be an exciting time. Obviously, Seattle’s meant the world to me over the past 10 years. It’s a special place, special place to play, Lumen Field. I have a high regard for all those guys over there and what they do.”
Common sense will tell you that he’s taking this matchup very personal despite how he downplays it.
“I think for me, it’s going to be non-emotional, though — it’s got to be non-emotional. You’ve got to be able to go into it with an understanding that it’s just ball. And also understand that there’s been amazing times. There’s been a lot of touchdowns there, won a lot of games there. So I had a great experience.”
Wilson’s had a marvelous career, boasting a 104-53-1 record, with 292 touchdowns and 87 interceptions. He led the Seahawks to the playoffs in eight of his ten seasons in Seattle.
Plus, he’s been to two Super Bowls winning one, now he’s tasked with trying to right the offensive ship in Denver, which been an unmitigated disaster since Peyton Manning retired in 2015.
It’s clear that Wilson held his tongue in order to leave Seattle on good terms. By the time the Denver vs Seattle matchup occurs, there might actually be some bad blood to fuel what will already be a most anticipated game.
