Matt Calkins: After the late rally against the Bills, is Russell Wilson back to his former self?

That being said, it still ranks among the Seahawks’ best trades. To be even more certain, it doesn’t imply that the person covered in this article didn’t make a mistake by pushing his way out.

However, that man Russell Wilson? The nine-time Pro Bowler, now a sports supervillain in Seattle worth close to $50 million annually? It seems as though he has returned. Or, to put it phonetically, ba-ack.

By season’s end, it appeared as though the quarterback for the Broncos had fallen into a never-see-again mediocrity. With a passer rating of 84.4, 16 points below his career average, he finished with 16 touchdowns versus 11 interceptions in what was undoubtedly his worst professional season at the age of 34. Out of his 15 starts, the Broncos had a 4-11 record.

However, based on some criteria, Wilson’s current season appears to be typical of Russell. Furthermore, “typical” essentially implies sensational considering that, prior to the Seahawks trading him last year, he appeared destined for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Wilson has nine games under his belt and leads the NFL in touchdown passes (18), touchdown percentage (6.9), and passer rating (104.0) through three weeks. At4-5, he has won the same number of games this season as he did the previous, and he has only thrown four interceptions.

No, Russell hasn’t regained the elite status that made him the highest-paid quarterback in football in the past. To the surprise of millions, the Broncos are contending for a postseason spot, and they most certainly wouldn’t be without him.

Wilson’s ability to design game-winning drives was one of his distinguishing traits while he was in Seattle. He did it again, so think of Monday night’s game in Orchard Park, New York, as a throwback.

With 1:55 remaining and the Bills up 22–21, Wilson drove the Broncos from their 25-yard line to Buffalo’s 18, where Will Lutz made a 36-yard field goal with the clock running out to give the Bills a 24–22 victory. Wilson completed 29 passes for 193 yards and two touchdowns, so his stats weren’t particularly impressive. However, he appeared to be as effective as possible within the parameters of the game plan, as evidenced by the 24 passes he completed and the lack of turnovers.

A few disclaimers (and a heads up: this paragraph contains a lot of numbers): Wilson now has 30 for the season after taking four sacks on Monday. He is expected to eclipse the league-high and career-high 55 sacks he took last season. Wilson also has five fumbles, which ties him for tenth place among quarterbacks. Additionally, he ranks 22nd among quarterbacks who have played in at least seven games with an average of 200.7 passing yards per game. Maybe this explains why Wilson ranks 19th in the NFL with an advanced QBR of only 52.7.

This provides plausible justification for the anti-Russellers’ animosity toward sports. Additionally, Josh Allen of the Bills has been dealing with a shoulder injury, and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes had his worst performance of the season two Sundays ago against the Broncos.

That doesn’t change the fact that Wilson has three game-winning drives and comeback victories, both of which are on pace to eclipse his career highs, or that the Broncos have won three straight games.

What are Seahawks supporters to make of this, then? What does Wilson’s return to form—or at least a return to something approaching it—mean for the thousands of people who cheered him on during the season’s opening game last season?

I’m not sure I could tell you that for sure. However, I don’t think they are completely against it.

Wilson is not Alex Rodriguez or Howard Schultz, whose actions (selling the Sonics and leaving the Mariners when he was at his best) will never be forgotten in this community. Wilson spent ten fantastic years here, played a key role in Seattle’s Super Bowl victory and subsequent appearance, and was well-liked by all. With two years remaining on his enormous contract, many will doubt his sincerity, and many more will be upset that he wants to leave. However, I don’t believe he did anything to permanently break the hearts of PNWers.

To be honest, Devon Witherspoon, the cornerback who appears to be ready to be an All-Pro for years to come, would not have existed without the Wilson trade. That will promote wound healing.

Above all, though, I believe people understand what he’s gone through in the last 12 months. The nonstop jokes and frequent mockery. Yes, the majority of it was the result of unintentional mistakes, but there are sentiments that not even a $240 million contract can shield you from.

I’m not sure if Wilson has truly reverted to his former quarterbacking form. Still, the numbers seem promising. Seattleites must be cool with him as long as he doesn’t go out and, you know, win a title.