August 24, 2012; Kansas City, MO, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) hands off to running back Michael Robinson (26) in the first quarter of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images Denny Medley-Imagn Images

How Russell Wilson Could’ve Joined Chiefs

Originally posted on Kansas City Chiefs on SI
By Zak Gilbert | Last updated Sep 20, 2025 11:30 AM ET

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The year before Andy Reid took over as Chiefs head coach, Brian Daboll was a young offensive coordinator enduring a difficult season in Kansas City. It was 2012 and the fingerprints of the early century Patriots were all over Arrowhead Stadium.

Scott Pioli was the general manager, Romeo Crennel the head coach and Matt Cassel the quarterback. And perhaps that’s why the Chiefs opted to leave Russell Wilson on the board during the 2012 draft.

Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

After taking future Pro Bowler Dontari Poe with his first-round choice, and offensive tackle Jeff Allen in the second round, Pioli entered Round 3 with the No. 74 overall selection. Rather than taking Wilson, the quarterback from Wisconsin, Pioli and Crennel took another offensive tackle, Donald Stephenson.

With the very next choice, No. 75 overall, Seattle pounced on Wilson.

Revisionist history

But be careful, because revisionist history always has repercussions. Had Pioli taken Wilson and the quarterback played as well in Kansas City as he did as a rookie in Seattle, a quarterback at Whitehouse High School in Texas certainly wouldn’t have found his way to the Chiefs.

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Cassel, Brady Quinn and the Chiefs finished the year 2-14. Reid and John Dorsey took over the following season in Kansas City, taking a tight end out of Cincinnati named Travis Kelce.

Meanwhile, Wilson earned the Seahawks’ starting job out of training camp and led Seattle to the playoffs as a rookie.

Fast forward to 2025

Now with his fourth NFL team, Wilson hasn’t lost a step on his deep ball. Last week in a 40-37 overtime loss at Dallas, the new Giants starter passed for 450 yards and three TDs with one interception, compiling a 123.0 passer rating.

Herb Weitman-Imagn Images

The performance marked his fourth-career 400-yard game and made him just the fourth player ever (Ryan Fitzpatrick, Warren Moon and Kirk Cousins) with 400-plus passing yards and three-plus TD passes in a game for three different teams.

“I’ve seen him clicking on all cylinders,” said Chiefs safety Bryan Cook on Wednesday. “Just trusting his arm, letting it sling, trusting his guys, getting the ball to his go-to guys as well. I think he’s finding his different type of groove.

Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

“He’s been in the league for a few years, and I feel like he’s found a great combination as far having the experience, as well as the mentality of just playing football and having fun.”

He's also excelled in the NFL’s marquee games. In 20 career Sunday Night Football starts, Wilson has accounted for 43 TDs (40 pass, three rush) with 13 INTs for a 100.5 rating. Against the Chiefs in seven career starts (2-5), he’s produced 16 TDs (13 passing, three rushing).

This article first appeared on Kansas City Chiefs on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: