In the spring of 2022, the Seattle Seahawks made the decision to begin a new chapter in their franchise story, trading quarterback Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos for a collection of players and draft picks. At the time, it seemed like a sign the Seahawks were going to be entering an extensive rebuilding phase and perhaps be looking at a couple of truly down years.
It ended up being one of the key foundational moves that set the stage for their 29-13 Super Bowl LX win over the New England Patriots on Sunday night.
It gives the Seahawks their second championship in franchise history.
A lot of the players that were acquired as a part of that trade played a key role in Sunday’s win.
Especially on the defensive side of the ball.
Russell Wilson trade helped build Seahawks Super Bowl win
The key part of the return in the Wilson trade was the multiple draft picks that included two first-rounders (2022 and 2023) and two second-rounders (2022 and 2023).
The Seahawks pretty much hit on all of them, including three picks on defense that helped build the league’s best unit in 2025.
Those picks included defensive linemen Boye Mafe (second-round, 2022) and Derick Hall (second-round, 2023), as well as cornerback Devon Witherspoon (first-round, 2023).
Mafe and Hall have become crucial parts of a Seattle pass-rush that spent all season causing havoc without having to rely on the blitz. On Sunday, Hall recorded a pair of sacks while Mafe also made an impact in hurrying Patriots quarterback Drake Maye.
The most significant player to come as a result of that trade, however, has been Witherspoon.
From the moment he arrived in Seattle, he has been the tone-setter and biggest game-changer on the defense. His arrival was the turning point in helping the Seahawks go from a run-of-the-mill (to even bad) defense to what is now the league’s most dominant group.
He was sensational on Sunday with a sack, a tackle for loss, a pass defense and three quarterback hits. One of those quarterback hits came on that play that produced Maye’s second interception, which was returned 45 yards for a touchdown by Uchenna Nwosu.