"It was like we were playing with a JV roster" - Russell Wilson's former teammate reveals frustrations QB had with Seahawks
Russell Wilson is probably quite happy at the moment. The former Seattle Seahawks quarterback was traded to the Denver Broncos earlier this week. Despite saying he loved Seattle, Russell Wilson also wanted out of Seattle if they weren't going to make significant changes to the team.
In 2012, the Broncos used a second-round pick on Brock Osweiler, when Russell Wilson was still on the board. Ten years later, Denver gave up two ones, two twos, and three players to get Wilson.
How bad was it in Seattle? One former teammate said that Russell Wilson was extremely frustrated with the team.
Former Seahawks tight end Greg Olson explained to Colin Cowherd on his podcast how things really were for Russell Wilson when he was in Seattle. He said:
“I never thought they had a personnel issue,” he said. “The conversations that I would have with the coaches and the amount of pushback and the amount of questions that I would get in return saying, we're not sure if we can do this. I'm not sure if we can protect this and I'd sit there scratching my head. It was like we were playing with a JV roster. "
Olson didn't think the organization was that interested in improving the offense, explaining:
"It was like we were playing with a rookie, undrafted quarterback. It was very interesting to me. I just think the ideology there was always defense first, kicking game, punt the ball field position, force turnovers, get a defensive lead, and then they'd hand the ball to Russ at the end of the game and say go be magic. I just think it was part of Russell's frustration. I think it's why Russ said I want to go somewhere where this is going to be an offensive quarterback driven team every Sunday with the ball in my hand. Like Aaron Rodgers like the (other) stars.”
Olson did not hold back in his criticism, and perhaps rightly so. The Seahawks haven't made much of an effort to make their offense better since they won the Super Bowl, which explains WIlson's frustrations.
Why Denver is a better situation for Russell Wilson
The Denver Broncos have a significantly better team than the Seahawks on paper. They are also in a hurry to maximize their team's potential, which is why they traded for Wilson.
The Broncos were seemingly a star quarterback away from contending for an AFC title and maybe a Super Bowl, and now they have one.
Unlike in Seattle, Wilson is surrounded by a bunch of fresh young talent and an offensive-minded head coach, something he didn't have in Seattle with Pete Carroll.
@brgridiron
.@jerryjeudy's reaction to the Packers bringing back Aaron Rodgers vs finding out Russell Wilson is his new QB 😂 @brgridiron https://t.co/2f9JqhVDtG
Not to mention the fact that the Broncos defense is still one of the best in the league. Russell Wilson probably feels like a kid in a candy store right now with all this talent around him and an organization that will support and listen to him.