Broncos QB Russell Wilson addresses critiques from Seahawks entrance workplace as Monday Night Football showdown in Seattle looms

A day after being labeled a “descending player” by an nameless supply within the Seahawks’ entrance workplace, Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson took the excessive street in response to an ESPN story about his departure from Seattle.

Speaking on Thursday on the UCHealth Training Center, 4 days forward of Wilson’s return to Lumen Field for the season opener in opposition to his former workforce, Wilson mentioned he wasn’t certain of the reception he’ll obtain from the “12th man.”

But if he does get booed by Seahawks followers, he gained’t be nervous about it.

“People are going to love me, people are going to hate you sometimes,” Wilson mentioned. “But I do know that for me, I’ll eternally have love in my coronary heart for Seattle.

“Those 10 years, I couldn’t imagine those not being in my life and how special they were, and how many games we won, the amazing thrillers, the Super Bowl we won. I’m going to think about all that and the joy and gratitude from that. And also, we’ve got a football game to play.”

The ESPN story detailed the “drama” resulting in Wilson’s blockbuster commerce to Denver in March, when common supervisor George Paton despatched two first-round picks (2022,’23), two second-round picks (2022, ’23), a fifth-round decide (2022), tight finish Noah Fant, defensive finish Shelby Harris and quarterback Drew Lock to Seattle in change for the Pro Bowl quarterback and a 2022 fourth-round decide.

Wilson confirmed the Seahawks tried to commerce him “a couple times” throughout his tenure there, however mentioned that he wasn’t angered by these makes an attempt. One of these commerce makes an attempt was with the Browns previous to the 2018 draft, earlier than Wilson had a no-trade clause in his contract.

“(Seattle) tried to see what was out there,” Wilsons mentioned. “It’s part of the business and it’s part of being a professional. Upset isn’t the right word (for my reaction to those trade attempts). I believe in my talent and who I am, and I believe I’m one of the best in the world, and I don’t worry about anything else other than that.”

The quarterback with two Super Bowl appearances and 32 game-winning drives in his profession publicly complained about his lack of safety after the 2020 season. Wilson’s 427 sacks over his decade in Seattle have been extra sacks than another quarterback in a 10-year span in NFL historical past. That, coupled with coach Pete Carroll’s need for an offensive id rooted within the run, soured Wilson’s relationship along with his former coach.

Wilson dismissed the notion shared by sources inside the Seattle entrance workplace to ESPN that his mobility has dwindled, and the projection that his legs and skill to cross from the pocket may very well be a difficulty going ahead. Wilson can earn his thirtieth primetime win in opposition to Seattle — he’s at the moment 29-11-1 in these video games.

“People have their opinions and thoughts and ideas, and everybody has their own right to think what they want to think,” Wilson mentioned. “I know how the whole thing went, how the situation transpired (with the fallout with Carroll and the trade). But at the same time, every second of it I enjoyed in terms of being there and trying to give it my all every day.”

Wilson and the Broncos enter the Week 1 showdown as 6.5-point favorites. But it’ll be a raucous setting for the guests earlier than a sellout crowd. On the secondary market, the common buy worth for the sport is $497, per TickPick. It’s the costliest recreation on Seattle’s schedule this 12 months and the seventh-most costly recreation on the NFL calendar.

A win over the Seahawks can even put Wilson one step nearer to changing into the fifth quarterback in NFL historical past to beat all 32 groups. He additionally nonetheless must beat the Chargers, whom the Broncos play on the street in Week 6 and at residence in Week 18.