When the Seattle Seahawks take the field against the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl, it marks the franchise’s fourth appearance on the sport’s biggest stage. And while Russell Wilson won’t be under center this time around, his fingerprints are still all over this team - just not in the way you might expect.
Wilson helped lead Seattle to two previous Super Bowl trips, including their lone championship. But his departure in 2022 via a blockbuster trade with the Denver Broncos ended up being the catalyst for the Seahawks’ latest resurgence. That deal - which at the time raised eyebrows across the league - now looks like one of the most lopsided trades in recent NFL memory.
Here’s how it broke down: Denver received Wilson and a 2022 fourth-round pick. Seattle, in return, got a haul - two first-rounders (2022 and 2023), two second-rounders (2022 and 2023), and a 2022 fifth-round pick.
On paper, it was a massive package. In practice, it’s helped build a Super Bowl roster.
Let’s walk through what Seattle did with those picks.
- 2022 first-round pick: LT Charles Cross Cross has stepped in and locked down the left side of the line.
He’s not just a starter - he’s the kind of cornerstone every franchise dreams of at tackle. Cross has already inked a big extension, and his protection has been a key factor in the offense’s rhythm and consistency.
- 2022 second-round pick: OLB Boye Mafe Mafe might not be a household name, but he’s been a solid contributor. While his role has shifted over time, he’s had stretches of strong production and remains a valuable rotational piece in a deep pass-rushing group.
- 2023 first-round pick: CB Devon Witherspoon This one’s the crown jewel.
Witherspoon has emerged as one of the best young defenders in football. Whether he’s locking down receivers in man coverage or flying downhill in run support, he’s been a tone-setter for a defense that’s playing some of its best football in years.
- 2023 second-round pick: OLB Derick Hall Like Mafe, Hall has had his ups and downs, but he’s carved out a role. Depth matters in the postseason, and Hall gives Seattle another capable body on the edge.
As for that 2022 fifth-rounder? Seattle flipped it to the Chiefs in a draft-day trade - a minor footnote in a deal that’s already paid major dividends.
What makes this all so impressive isn’t just the volume of picks, but how the Seahawks used them. Draft capital only gets you so far; it takes a front office with vision and execution to turn those assets into foundational players.
That’s where general manager John Schneider deserves serious credit. He didn’t just win the trade - he built a Super Bowl-caliber core out of it.
In a league where quarterback trades often define franchises for years, the Wilson deal has become a blueprint for how to reset without bottoming out. The Broncos got their quarterback. The Seahawks got a future.
Now, that future is here - and it’s playing for a Lombardi Trophy.