3 Is Key Number For Broncos Quarterback Russell Wilson

It was arguably the biggest offseason trade of 2022. The Denver Broncos acquired quarterback Russell Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks in March. The 10-year pro comes off a campaign in which he missed time for the first time during his impressive career.

The 33-year-old signal-caller started every game for Pete Carroll’s club (including playoffs) during his first nine seasons in the NFL. The club reached the playoffs eight times over that span, made back-to-back Super Bowl appearances in 2013 (won XLVIII) and ’14 (lost XLIX), and posted a winning campaign each year.

But 2021 was indeed a different year in the Pacific Northwest for both the Seahawks (who finished last in the NFC West with a 7-10 record) and Wilson – the latter missing three games. He still wound up hitting on 64.8 percent of his passes for 3,113 yards and more than four times as many scored (25) as interceptions (6).

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But now it’s onto Denver. And Wilson recently explained (via Alex Evans of Larry Brown Sports) the three factors that made the Broncos a good fit as he begins his second decade in the league.

“Once the trade was going to happen, I said, ‘Hey, listen, I want to make sure that I go to a city that wants to win. I want to make sure that I go to a team that wants to win. And I want to go to a city that knows how to win.’ And all those three things were checked off the box here in Denver.”

There are those who feel that the Broncos have had a roster loaded with talent the last few years. But the reality is that the franchise has not made a postseason appearance since 2015, when the team defeated the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50. That was followed by a 9-7 showing a year later while the club is in the midst of a streak of five straight losing campaigns. The team has gone through its share of starting quarterbacks and a few head coaches.

So enter Wilson and former Green Bay Packers’ offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett as the Broncos’ newest sideline leader. There’s a lot of anticipation that the accomplished quarterback can help get this franchise back on the winning track. Will it be as easy as 1-2-3 for No. 3 and company?