In a shocking move, the Denver Broncos have announced their decision to release star quarterback Russell Wilson when the new league year begins next week. This comes just two years after the Broncos traded a hefty package to the Seattle Seahawks to acquire Wilson, with high hopes of building a championship team around him.

However, Wilson's tenure in Denver did not live up to expectations. The 2022 season turned out to be his worst in the NFL, and the Broncos' disappointing finish gifted the Seahawks the No. 5 overall pick in the subsequent draft. Last year, Wilson found himself benched due to a dispute over injury guarantees in his contract amidst an underwhelming 8-9 season under new head coach Sean Payton.

The Seahawks, on the other hand, seemed to have won the trade in retrospect. Despite giving up several valuable draft picks, they managed to secure young, impactful players like left tackle Charles Cross, cornerback Devon Witherspoon, and edge rushers Boye Mafe and Derick Hall through the trade.

Now, with Wilson's release, the Seahawks have yet another opportunity to benefit from the aftermath of the trade. Former NFL quarterback Brock Huard suggests that Seattle could capitalize on the Broncos' need to shed salaries due to the massive dead cap space they inherited with Wilson's contract extension.

Huard speculates that notable players like All-Pro safety Justin Simmons and offensive guard Ben Powers could become available, potentially aligning with the Seahawks' needs. While safety may not be a clear priority, given the presence of Quandre Diggs, Julian Love, and Jamal Adams, there's a possibility that Seattle could part ways with Adams this offseason.

Seattle's Week 1 starting guards, who are pending free agents, could also prompt the Seahawks to explore alternatives such as Ben Powers from the Broncos. Additionally, Huard points out defensive tackle D.J. Jones, a run-stuffer who could address the Seahawks' long-standing struggles in run defense.

With the Broncos now burdened with an NFL record of approximately $85 million in dead salary cap space over the next two years, difficult decisions lie ahead for Denver. Huard suggests that the team will likely have to make tough salary-shedding choices, potentially creating an opportunity for other NFL teams, including the Seahawks, to acquire quality players from the Broncos' roster.

As the new league year approaches, all eyes will be on the Broncos and the subsequent moves they make to alleviate their financial constraints. And for the Seahawks, who have already benefited from the initial trade, the release of Russell Wilson presents a chance to further bolster their roster with impactful acquisitions.