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The Miami Dolphins, Stephen Ross, Russell Wilson, and the Denver Broncos all have one thing in common. Each of these parties have been accused of tampering. Stephen Ross, of course, has been punished for attempting to lure Tom Brady to Miami in 2019, and then again when the quarterback landed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
One NFL analyst believes the Denver Broncos are in a similar boat as they privately spoke to Russell Wilson and convinced him to join them. On the Rich Eisen Show, NFL analyst Mike Florio discussed whether teams have engaged in tampering in the past. Here's how he put it:
"And here's the other side of it, too. Let's not be naive. This isn't the only time this [has happened.] This happens all the time. All sorts of players. You think Russell Wilson and his agent Mark Rogers had no conversations with the Broncos during the 2021 season?"
He went on to say the Dolphins didn't get a harsh punishment because of other incidents of tampering in the past.
"Do you think that didn't happen? I think that's one of the reasons why the punishment of the Dolphins wasn't as much as it should have been."
The Dolphins were fined a 2023 first-round pick and a 2024 third-round pick, according to USA Today. Ross was suspended until October and fined $1.5 million.
What led to Russell Wilson leaving Seattle to join the Broncos?
When the quarterback guided Seattle to back-to-back Super Bowls for the first time in franchise history, not many pegged him as someone who would be traded. Before 2021, the quarterback never had a losing season.
The closest he came was in 2017, when he went 9-7. In 2018, he went 10-6. In 2019, he went 11-5 and in 2020, he went 12-4. Despite the regular season success, he struggled in the postseason over that span, winning just one playoff game.
With the NFC West getting better by the year, the team decided it was time to rebuild. They traded Wilson and lost Bobby Wagner to free agency. Wilson landed with the Broncos and Wagner went to the Rams.
At 33 years old, Wilson could play at a high level for several more years. Will he be able to rejuvenate a franchise that has been struggling? It remains to be seen.
If any of the above quotes are used, please credit the Rich Eisen Show and H/T Sportskeeda.
