How the Seahawks Turned the Russell Wilson Trade Into a Super Bowl Blueprint
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Denver Broncos deserve credit for how they rebounded after the Russell Wilson experiment fell flat. Despite Wilson’s underwhelming performances in 2022 and 2023 - so underwhelming, in fact, that the Broncos chose to eat an $85 million cap hit just to move on - they managed to claw their way back into the postseason by 2024 and even made it to the AFC Championship Game.
That’s a remarkable recovery.
But make no mistake: the Seattle Seahawks won the trade. And on the biggest stage - Super Bowl LX - they proved it, defeating the New England Patriots 29-13 in a game that showcased just how well that bold move has paid off.
At the time, the Wilson trade looked like Seattle waving the white flag on their competitive window. Instead, it was the first brick in building a new one - and cornerback Devon Witherspoon might just be the cornerstone.
The Trade That Changed Everything
Let’s rewind for a second. When Seattle sent Wilson to Denver, they got back a haul: tight end Noah Fant, defensive lineman Shelby Harris, quarterback Drew Lock, two first-round picks, two second-rounders, and a fifth-round selection.
It was a blockbuster, and it came with risk. But the Seahawks knew what they were doing.
Fast forward to Super Bowl Sunday, and it’s clear just how much that deal reshaped the Seahawks’ identity - especially on defense.
Devon Witherspoon: A Game-Changer on the Biggest Stage
Witherspoon, taken with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2023 draft - a pick that came from Denver’s 5-12 collapse in 2022 - played like a star in Super Bowl LX. He set the tone early with a sack on Patriots quarterback Drake Maye in the first quarter.
Then, with the game still within reach in the fourth, he delivered the final blow - a crushing hit on Maye that jarred the ball loose. Uchenna Nwosu scooped it up and raced 45 yards for the touchdown that put Seattle up 29-7, effectively sealing the win and the season.
Witherspoon’s final stat line: one sack, four tackles (including one for a loss), and a pass defensed. But the numbers only tell part of the story.
His presence was felt all game - physical, fast, and fearless. On a night when Seattle’s defense rose to the occasion, he was the spark.
Derick Hall Steps Up in a Big Way
Another key piece from the Wilson trade? Derick Hall, a second-round pick in 2023, had arguably the best game of his young career - and he picked the perfect moment to do it.
Hall notched two sacks, matching his career high, and was a disruptive force off the edge. Along with Witherspoon, he accounted for half of Seattle’s six sacks and five of their 11 quarterback hits.
For a defense that needed to rattle the rookie Maye, Hall delivered in a big way.
Building Through the Trenches
Seattle’s dominance wasn’t just about defense, though. Protecting quarterback Sam Darnold on the other side of the ball was left tackle Charles Cross - another product of the Wilson trade.
Cross was taken with the first-rounder Seattle got from Denver in 2022, and he’s become a mainstay on the offensive line. His job in the Super Bowl?
Keep Darnold upright - and he did just that.
Linebacker Boye Mafe, selected with a second-round pick from the same deal, played a smaller role in the game but still chipped in with a tackle.
The Verdict
In hindsight, the Russell Wilson trade wasn’t just a reset - it was a masterclass in long-term roster building. The Seahawks turned one franchise quarterback into a collection of foundational pieces, several of whom played pivotal roles in delivering a Super Bowl title.
Meanwhile, Denver’s gamble didn’t pay off the way they hoped. Wilson never found his rhythm in orange and blue, and the price to move on was steep. Still, they’ve managed to stay competitive, which is no small feat.
But there’s no question who came out ahead.
The Seahawks bet big - and now they’re Super Bowl champions because of it.