Russell Wilson trade worse than infamous Herschel Walker deal?

In 1985, the Cowboys acquired Walker's rights by drafting him in the fifth round of the NFL Draft. He had played the previous three seasons in the USFL, and prior to that, he starred at Georgia. 

Five games into the 1989 season, with the Cowboys 0-5 and rebuilding, the team sent Walker and three draft picks to the Vikings for four players and eight draft picks. Dallas' haul included three first and three second-round draft picks.

Per the Pro Football Hall of Fame, it was the biggest trade in NFL history.

At the time, Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson said, per UPI: "One agent told me this was the biggest trade in the history of the NFL. An owner told me it was the Great Train Robbery."

When Denver acquired Wilson in the offseason, it sent three players and five draft picks to Seattle, including two first- and second-round picks.

The Vikings and Broncos made the trades to win Super Bowls, not join "worst trades of all time" lists. 

At the time of Walker's trade, Vikings GM Mike Lynn said: 

"We... are interested in winning our Central division, in getting to the Super Bowl and in winning the Super Bowl... The last piece of the puzzle ... was ... not just a running back, a marquee running back." (h/t UPI)

Minnesota made one playoff appearance — in Walker's first season — and didn't win a playoff game with its prized running back. He played in 43 career games with the Vikings, who went 21-22 during that time.

Unlike the Vikings, the Broncos are highly unlikely to make the playoffs in Year 1 of their blockbuster acquisition. At 3-8, Denver is in a worse spot than Minnesota was after dealing for Walker.

What the Cowboys did with the draft capital attached to the trade sparked a Super Bowl run in the 1990s. The Seahawks can make the Broncos look just as bad as the Vikings.

The first-round pick the Broncos sent to Seattle is projected to land in the top five, per Tankathon. Seattle knocked it out of the park with an outstanding 2022 draft class. It could use its draft haul from the Broncos to build a long-term powerhouse.

History will judge if the Wilson deal turns out worse for Denver than the Walker trade for the Vikings. Based on early returns, it's a very bad look for Denver.