Image via Getty
The NFL offseason just began and we’re already seeing some of the biggest names across the league rumored to be on the move. We’ve never seen NFL stars try to use their weight to influence where they land like we’ve seen in the NBA for a long time. However we’ve seen a slew of quarterbacks either force a trade or speculate on landing elsewhere.
The latest name to be in trade rumors is Seattle Seahawks superstar Russell Wilson. Wilson mentioned he wasn’t sure whether he was available in trade talks, and has been characterized as “frustrated” by getting hit too much and not having enough say in the franchises’ moves. The Seahawks had flirted with the idea with trading Russell to the Browns in 2018, so it wouldn’t be overly stunning if they eventually take offers for the 33-year-old.
Now, a new report from The Athletic has detailed Wilson and the Seahawks’ ongoing issues, which has people wondering if they really will trade the Super Bowl winning QB. Accordint to the report, Wilson’s camp has approached Seattle about a possible trade. We’ve already seen Matthew Stafford, Carson Wentz, and Jared Goff traded this offseason, so nothing should surprise anyone.
Russell Wilson's camp has approached the Seattle Seahawks for a potential trade, per @MikeDugar, @SandoNFL and @JaysonJenks
Potential destinations include: Dolphins, Jets, Saints, and Raiders.
Wilson was PFF's 6th highest-graded QB in 2020 (90.5) pic.twitter.com/u6neuHS6cb
— PFF (@PFF) February 25, 2021
We have the six best fits for Wilson if the Seahawks decide to move on from their leader and start anew with a cheaper and younger option. Trading Wilson would cost the Seahawks millions, so any offer would have to completely blow them away to incur the cap hit and loss of such a dynamic talent. Let’s get weird.
New York Giants
We’ve recently seen that the Giants aren’t interested in trading Daniel Jones, but that has more to do with the lukewarm feelings about him around the league. Jones hasn’t been anything close to the answer after the Giants took him two years ago, and the franchise still needs an answer at the position. There’s no question that the Giants offense would look significantly better with Wilson instead of Jones.
With weapons like Darius Slayton, Evan Engram and Saquon Barkley, the Giants are ready to compete at a higher level. The defense was surprisingly good in 2020 despite the lack of household names, and Year 2 of Joe Judge’s tenure should bring improvement. New York can create the cap space to acquire Wilson and continue surrounding him with quality pieces.
There’d also be a unique allure for Wilson to go to a big city as opposed to many of the teams on this list. The Giants have never had such a dynamic quarterback, and Wilson can usher in a new era with his flashy style and knack for big plays. The Giants would be wise to mortgage everything they could for Wilson and fill out their roster through the draft and savvy free agents.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins have been linked to Deshaun Watson and Carson Wentz to certain degrees, meaning they’re at least doing their homework on the quarterback market. That doesn’t mean it’s time to panic about Tua Tagovailoa’s future with the franchise but Miami should be looking for an elite quarterback if they can get one. Watson and Wilson both fit in that category.
The Dolphins have a top-tier defense and the assets to overhaul what was a relatively barren offense in 2020. Trading Tua and at least two first round picks for Wilson would be a tough price to pay but would instantly give Miami the chance to compete in the AFC for the next few years. Losing so many picks would force the front office to leverage their veteran contracts for more cap room to improve one of the worst supporting casts in the league.
Wilson may not be interested in leaving a team that has more surrounding talent and a conference that’s more open than the AFC. Miami would have to sell Wilson on a slew of young contributors emerging quickly before Wilson leaves his prime.
Dallas Cowboys
The Dak Prescott situation isn’t getting better despite the team falling apart without him in 2020. Handing out massive contracts over the last few years have led to this standoff where the Cowboys don’t want to overpay Dak. However contracts have swelled since they had the chance to extend him, and the possibility of franchising him again off a major injury is scary for both parties.
Both teams could be interested in a quarterback swap. The Seahawks could get younger and a more traditional pocket passer in Dak, and the Cowboys get a higher-upside playmaker in the short-term who is already under contract. This could be a win-win deal.
The Cowboys have to rebuild their woeful defense on the fly but the talent looked worse under Mike Nolan than in 2019. Dan Quinn can get the unit back to a solid unit quickly, and Wilson would love being surrounded by a great offensive supporting cast and offensive line.
Denver Broncos
We know Denver has been aggressive in looking for a veteran quarterback as well as several teams on this list. Drew Lock hasn’t shown nearly enough to make him more than a backup option in 2021. But like Indianapolis and Washington, the pool of quarterbacks will dry up quickly and overpaying for a veteran is better than being left without a difference-maker.
Putting Wilson in an offense with Jerry Jeudy, Tim Patrick, Noah Fant, K.J. Hamler and Melvin Gordon would instantly vault to top-five offensive expectations. The Broncos run a friendly scheme for Wilson that would be familiar but also protect the veteran. Getting Ja’Wuan James back from the Covid list will also help bolster a line that grew in 2020.
There’s jobs on the line in Denver, meaning they’d be desperate to land the mobile and accurate gunslinger. A slew of first-round picks would instantly pay off and allow the Broncos to really push the Chiefs in the AFC.
Washington Football Team
Washington has been pushing hard to land their next veteran quarterback, according to several league executives I’ve talked to. They know it’s unlikely they’ll land one of the top-four quarterbacks in the draft, and could easily be looking at starting a fringe starter left for them in free agency. They don’t want to settle for someone like Jacoby Brissett, Mitchell Trubisky or Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Ron Rivera has a solid set of selling points to pique Wilson’s interest. The Football Team has a strong, young defense to keep them competitive for years to come. Offensive playmakers Terry McLaurin and Antonio Gibson are the start of what can quickly blossom into a talented offense with one key signing and drafting another receiver.
The money situation in Washington is good enough to see a lot of optimism. This team could own the division for the rest of Wilson’s prime with very little extra effort than acquiring him.