Denver Broncos matter in AFC West after Russell Wilson deal

After acquiring quarterback Russell Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks on Tuesday, the Denver Broncos arrived in the AFC West.

After wandering in the football abyss for the last half-decade, the Denver Broncos finally found their way.

Yes, it cost a pair of first- and second-round picks. As well as that, quarterback Drew Lock, tight end Noah Fant and defensive tackle Shelby Harris were sacrificed. However, on Tuesday the Broncos traded for Seattle Seahawks star quarterback Russell Wilson.

Wilson ends what has been a miserable six-year stretch for Denver. Their time in the wilderness began after Peyton Manning retired following Super Bowl 50. Since then, it’s been one middling quarterback after the next. Ranging from Trevor Siemian and Case Keenum to Joe Flacco, Teddy Bridgewater and Lock.

With Wilson, the Broncos now become a viable threat to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC. They’re now a match against the team they have lost to a stunning 13 consecutive times. Kansas City still is the division favorite as it aims for its seventh straight AFC West title. However, Denver now has reason to think with a little luck and a quick mesh between Wilson and new head coach Nathaniel Hackett, there will be a race come December and January.

On Thursday, wide receiver Courtland Sutton stopped by NFL Total Access on NFL Network to talk about the acquisition, via NFL.com:

“We’re so excited. Our room, an offense, team, we’ve had a lot of guys come in and contribute and every step that we’ve had, it’s been appreciated. But to be able to have Russ come in and, having the success that he’s had, having the knowledge that he has, for us as young guys, all the young talent that we have, that’s what we need. We need that guy that’s gonna come in and be, you know, him, who he is, what he already brings to the table. We’re excited.”

Wilson certainly brings credibility to the long-floundering franchise. He’s won a Super Bowl and been to two, albeit not since 2014. In his career, the former third-round pick has thrown for 292 touchdowns against 87 interceptions. Meanwhile, amassing nine Pro Bowl berths in 10 campaigns.

Joining the quarterback-rich AFC, Wilson has the challenge of getting through Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson and others to reach the Super Bowl. If he can do so in Denver within the next few years, it’ll vault his legacy to another level before he leaves.

In the present, though, the Broncos are back once more. They’re on a path they lost years ago but now have found again.