Broncos’ Trade For Russell Wilson Is ‘The Worst Of All Time,’ Ex-NFL GM Says

Broncos’ Trade For Russell Wilson Is ‘The Worst Of All Time,’ Ex-NFL GM Says

Play video content

TMZSports.com

No deal in the history of the NFL has been more awful than the one the Broncos made to get Russell Wilson … at least, that’s according to ex-NFL general manager Michael Lombardi, who tells TMZ Sports Denver’s trade for the QB “is going to go down as the all-time worst.”

The former Cleveland Browns decision-maker didn’t mince words when discussing Wilson’s benching with us this week … explaining he believes the Broncos’ 2022 swap with the Seahawks will now go down as a historic blunder.

“When you add the contract and the trade,” Lombardi said, “it’s the worst of all time.”

The Broncos gave up a bevy of picks — including a first-rounder and a second-rounder — plus three other players in the move to acquire Russ before the ’22 season. They then signed the 35-year-old to a massive $245 MILLION contract extension.

Getty

Russell Wilson Benched In Denver

But, Russ played terribly in 2022 … and wasn’t all that much better in 2023 — which forced Sean Payton to sideline him this week for Jarrett Stidham.

The head coach’s decision likely signals the end of Wilson’s Denver tenure — and with it all but over, Lombardi’s ready to dub it the most disastrous NFL deal ever.

Lombardi said prior to the Broncos’ move, there had been other historically bad ones — including the Vikings’ infamous 1989 trade with the Cowboys for Herschel Walker — but he said “none of those trades had contracts attached to them that impact the salary cap in future years.”

“Russell will move from Denver,” Lombardi said. “But his cap problems will remain for two more years.”

There is at least good news for Wilson on the horizon, according to Lombardi … the former NFL exec says the QB should have a market if/when the Broncos officially cut him.

You can view the original article HERE.

Short Films in Focus: “Bug Diner” | Short Films in Focus
Short Films in Focus: “Bug Diner” | Short Films in Focus
Cute Chaos: Penny Lane on “Happy And You Know It” | TV/Streaming
Cute Chaos: Penny Lane on “Happy And You Know It” | TV/Streaming
Hulu’s A Thousand Blows Season 2 Punches Even Harder: Review
Hulu’s A Thousand Blows Season 2 Punches Even Harder: Review
Poetry in the Abyss: Béla Tarr (1955-2026) | Tributes
Poetry in the Abyss: Béla Tarr (1955-2026) | Tributes
KATSEYE “really hope to” collaborate with Charli XCX
KATSEYE “really hope to” collaborate with Charli XCX
Grateful Dead founding member Bob Weir dies at 78
Grateful Dead founding member Bob Weir dies at 78
Here’s what Biffy Clyro played as they kicked off their epic 2026 ‘Futique’ UK and Ireland tour
Here’s what Biffy Clyro played as they kicked off their epic 2026 ‘Futique’ UK and Ireland tour
ICE are no longer running ads on Spotify
ICE are no longer running ads on Spotify
The Night Manager Season 2 Premiere Review: A Resurrection in Three Acts
The Night Manager Season 2 Premiere Review: A Resurrection in Three Acts
Accused: The Karen Read Story Review: Katie Cassidy Carries a True Crime Conspiracy So Twisted It Should Be Fiction
Accused: The Karen Read Story Review: Katie Cassidy Carries a True Crime Conspiracy So Twisted It Should Be Fiction
Characters of the Week: Doc, Brilliant Minds & The Hunting Party Deliver Raw Emotion and Devastation
Characters of the Week: Doc, Brilliant Minds & The Hunting Party Deliver Raw Emotion and Devastation
Brilliant Minds Just Started to Find Its Footing Again
Brilliant Minds Just Started to Find Its Footing Again
Ravens dismiss Harbaugh after 18 seasons
Ravens dismiss Harbaugh after 18 seasons
WNBA, union fail to reach new CBA, talks to continue without extension
WNBA, union fail to reach new CBA, talks to continue without extension
Indiana destroys Oregon to book title date with Miami
Indiana destroys Oregon to book title date with Miami
Ant becomes 3rd-youngest player to reach 10K points
Ant becomes 3rd-youngest player to reach 10K points
Colombian Singer Yeison Jiménez Dead at 34 in Plane Crash
Colombian Singer Yeison Jiménez Dead at 34 in Plane Crash
Comedian Ali Siddiq Recalls Patrick Ewing’s Blunt Childhood Rejection In Viral Clip
Comedian Ali Siddiq Recalls Patrick Ewing’s Blunt Childhood Rejection In Viral Clip
Singer Zara Larsson Says She Loves Criminals and Drugs, Hates ICE
Singer Zara Larsson Says She Loves Criminals and Drugs, Hates ICE
Lil Baby Declares He Will Build A Dynasty With A Portrait In His Head
Lil Baby Declares He Will Build A Dynasty With A Portrait In His Head
KING OF THE NIGHT – Daily Front Row
KING OF THE NIGHT – Daily Front Row
A Heated Rivalry Reunion Is Coming This Weekend
A Heated Rivalry Reunion Is Coming This Weekend
Grand Bazaar NYC at 40: How Executive Director Dara Lehon Is Shaping the City’s Most Stylish, Community-Driven Marketplace
Grand Bazaar NYC at 40: How Executive Director Dara Lehon Is Shaping the City’s Most Stylish, Community-Driven Marketplace
A Shocking Exit at GQ, Top New Roles Givenchy and Dior
A Shocking Exit at GQ, Top New Roles Givenchy and Dior
Gina Zollman Scores Three Major Nominations at the 2025 BroadwayWorld Los Angeles Awards
Gina Zollman Scores Three Major Nominations at the 2025 BroadwayWorld Los Angeles Awards
A Red Wine Haze Washing Over You
A Red Wine Haze Washing Over You
Howard Bloom Guests On Movie Reviews and More With Host Brian Sebastian on K4HD Radio
Howard Bloom Guests On Movie Reviews and More With Host Brian Sebastian on K4HD Radio
Rocky Kramer: The Norwegian Virtuoso Who Turns Tuesdays Into Rock ‘n’ Roll Legends
Rocky Kramer: The Norwegian Virtuoso Who Turns Tuesdays Into Rock ‘n’ Roll Legends