Russell Wilson Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Russell Wilson dealt with personal tragedy during last season with Seahawks

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 2/24/23

Quarterback Russell Wilson apparently has been dealing with a noteworthy off-the-field issue since his final season with the Seattle Seahawks.

As shared by Reice Shipley of The Comeback, former NFL signal-caller Ryan Leaf spoke on the latest edition of his "The Straight Line" podcast about how he, Wilson, and others worked with sports psychologist Trevor Moawad. Moawad largely focused on encouraging positive thinking and became very close with Wilson, but Wilson sadly lost who Arielle Orsuto of 9News once referred to as "his best friend" to cancer in September 2021.

Leaf suggested Wilson never recovered from that setback.

"This man had been increasingly important to Russell Wilson," Leaf explained during the podcast. "They were partners, and I don’t think enough people talked about it last year. This was the first season that he didn’t have Trevor. I tell people all the time, when you walk into a facility to train your body you get a trainer. You need a trainer to exercise the biggest muscle in your body, and that is the brain."

Here’s some insight into the Russell Wilson season last year that I don’t think enough @Broncos fans or fans in general really knew about. Miss you @TrevorMoawad so, so much!!❤️@StraightLinePod @PointsBetUSA pic.twitter.com/fJKxCi36u7
— Ryan D Leaf (@RyanDLeaf) February 24, 2023

Wilson missed playing time in the fall of 2021 due to an injured middle finger on his throwing hand, and he insisted in late December of that year that he hoped to remain in Seattle. After Seattle traded him to the Denver Broncos last March, however, Seahawks chair Jody Allen said in an official statement that "Russell made it clear he wanted this change."

Wilson's name was again in headlines on Friday after a bombshell story claimed he wanted Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider fired last winter. Wilson has since responded via social media and said he "never wanted them fired."

The 34-year-old was downright awful during his first campaign with the Broncos and reportedly contacted Sean Payton about becoming the club's new head coach this offseason. Denver officially hired Payton earlier this month, and his first task could be to help Wilson fully heal from a tragedy that may have impacted him over the past two seasons.

Trevor, I’ll forever miss you. You spoke life into not only me but my family and so many others! Heaven is a good place. Grateful I was able to celebrate life with you, success, business like Limitless Minds and so much more. Keep inspiring from Heaven. @TrevorMoawad pic.twitter.com/1yuutWEfPo
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) September 15, 2022