Something strange is going on between Russell Wilson and the Seahawks, with the star quarterback reportedly so frustrated he’s now looking for a way out of Seattle.
This has led to a number of teams calling the Seahawks to inquire about trading for the eight-time Pro Bowl quarterback, according to NFL Media reports. It’s not known if the Raiders are one of those teams who reached out, but that hasn’t stopped BetOnline.ag from installing them as 3/1 favorites to acquire Wilson, if he’s traded.
Before any Raiders fans start thinking of customizing their Carson Palmer, Jeff George or Daryle Lamonica No. 3 jerseys with Wilson’s name on the back, let’s take a reality break.
While Wilson would represent an upgrade at quarterback for the Raiders (or practically everywhere else, for that matter), he’d likely cost them a package of Derek Carr, tight end Darren Waller and three No. 1 picks. And perhaps even more.
(By the way, has anyone else noticed how much Carr’s value has soared in the eyes of many? Before the season, many fans seemed willing to ditch Carr for a No. 1 pick or jettison him to the bench in favor of new backup Marcus Mariota. Now he’s being mentioned in hypothetical deals for Deshaun Watson and Wilson.)
After the Raiders, the next best odds to deal for Wilson belong to the Cowboys (6/1), Jaguars (7/1), Washington (8/1) and, wait for it, 49ers (9/1). Seattle trading its franchise quarterback to the 49ers? Anyone buying that notion?
Remember, just because Wilson has been critical of his teammates and has made a cryptic comment about his future in recent interviews, it doesn’t mean his time with the Seahawks is about to end. This may just be a case of Wilson’s growing frustration from not advancing past the divisional round in five consecutive postseason appearances getting the best of him.
“It’s unfortunate,” Wilson told GQ magazine. “We had a great year, did a lot of good things, broke some cool records and stuff like that, but the whole point of doing it all is to win it all. So, you know, if you’re second, you’re last.”
Wilson then alluded to his disappointment in a way that could be construed as looking for a new challenge.
“You have to be able to accept the challenges and the tough times, too, because it really catapults you to the best version of you,” Wilson said. “And I really, fundamentally believe that. I think that any great artist, or painter, or inventor, or leader, or creator, or anybody, it’s not usually the first attempt.”
Former NFL receiver Brandon Marshall, who briefly played in Seattle with Wilson, told Fox Sports Radio his former teammate is “beyond frustrated” with the Seahawks.
“I think Russell Wilson is trying to figure out how to move on in a classy way. That’s what I truly believe,” Marshall said.
Keep in mind, though, NFL Media reports indicate none of the teams who’ve inquired about Wilson’s availability heard anything suggesting the Seahawks have any intention of trading their 32-year-old quarterback.
And why would they? Never mind that Wilson has led the Seahawks to national prominence and their only Super Bowl victory and he’s still an MVP-level quarterback, there’s also the matter of the crippling salary cap ramifications his departure would cause in Seattle.
Wilson has three years and $69 million remaining on his contract and Seattle would face a $39 million cap hit by trading him before June 1. If the Seahawks dealt Wilson after June 1, they’d incur a $13 million cap charge in 2021 as well as a $26 million cap hit in 2022. And any potential deal would have to be agreed to by Wilson, who holds a no-trade clause in his contract.
The sudden questions about Wilson’s future have just begun recently after his interviews with GQ and talk shows. He’s been critical of Seattle’s problematic offensive line that’s allowed him to be sacked 394 times in his career — more than any other quarterback has been sacked in the first nine years of his career. He’s expressed a stronger desire to be part of personnel decisions.
For their part, the Seahawks are said to be upset with Wilson for airing his complaints in public.
Upset enough to begin a rebuild in Seattle? That doesn’t seem to be the case. At least not right now.
But let’s check back after Wilson’s televised interview on “Ellen” on Friday.
