Is Broncos trade for Russell Wilson worse than Herschel Walker deal in 1989?

On Oct. 13, 1989, the Vikings dealt four players and eight draft picks (including three first- and three second-rounders) to the Cowboys for four draft picks (none higher than third round) and Pro Bowl running back Walker. The previous season, Walker had rushed for 1,514 yards for Dallas.

In turn, Dallas used the picks acquired from Minnesota to select, among others, future Hall of Fame RB Emmitt Smith and Pro Bowl safety Darren Woodson. With the deal, Dallas set the foundation for a team that won three Super Bowls in the 1990s.

Minnesota, meanwhile, moved on from Walker after three underwhelming seasons. He would play for six more seasons after leaving the Vikings — three with the Eagles, one with the Giants and, in a salt-in-the-wound twist of fate for Minnesota, landed back with the Cowboys for two more. Walker only topped 1,000 rushing yards twice in the NFL.

Seattle hasn't won a playoff game since the Wilson deal, but it certainly fleeced Denver. 

The Broncos dealt five draft picks (including two first-rounders) and three players for the Super Bowl champion. With the picks, the Seahawks took, among others, budding stars Devon Witherspoon, a Pro Bowl corner, and edge-rusher Boye Mafe (58 pressures in 16 games in 2023).  

Wilson went 11-19 as the Broncos starter and posted a below-average 44.7 QBR. Releasing him incurs an NFL-record $85M cap hit.

Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report rated the Wilson trade as third worst in NFL history. The deal for Walker was No. 1, with San Francisco's trade to move up in the 2021 NFL Draft to pick QB Trey Lance slotted second. 

Knox noted that giving former Pro Bowler Wilson a five-year, $242.5M contract extension made the move more foolish.

While the Walker trade is slightly worse, both deals should serve as a lesson for front offices: Never mortgage the future on one player because it could destroy a franchise.