Gosh, was it really just a few days ago that I put myself firmly on the side of “it’s nonsense that Russell Wilson wants out of Seattle”? Yes, yes it was. I wrote that the growing talk of trouble from the national media was the usual Hawks hate we see so often. Sadly, it’s hard to ignore that the Seahawks best quarterback ever, and the front office may well be reaching an impasse. It’s been reported in The Athletic that Wilson’s agents have given the Hawks a list of four teams they’d consider as trade partners. That sounds pretty serious, alright.
By the way, The Athletic has a paywall. It’s totally worth subscribing, but you can read the gist of the piece (and more) in Mike Florio’s account for Pro Football Talk. Our own Lee Vowell did an excellent job covering what each of the four teams could offer the Seahawks, and what they could offer DangeRuss. I highly recommend you read his summation. Saves me some typing. Spoiler alert: the teams are Miami, New York, New Orleans, and Las Vegas. I’ll tell you which partner I’d choose in my wrap-up.
The thing is, I don’t want there to be a trade partner. I don’t believe many 12s want there to be a trade, either. Most importantly, I don’t think Russell Wilson wants to see a trade. As I wrote those few days ago, I completely understand Wilson’s frustration. You would too if you were one of your company’s best workers, but you didn’t have the team around you that you needed to truly shine. And let’s face it; when your offensive line’s best ranking over your entire career barely reaches the middle of the pack, you need better co-workers.
Russell Wilson may want to leave the Seahawks after all. They can’t get enough value in a trade for him. C’mon; work this out, fellas.
I think Number 3 is frustrated, and rightly so. I can also see the point of John Schneider and Pete Carroll. The league has a salary cap, after all. Per Over The Cap, Wilson will chomp up $32 million of that this year, then $37 and $40 in the following seasons. That’s over 17 percent of the team total. Doesn’t leave a lot of room for top-flight linemen, does it? I’m not a fan of hometown discounts, but if Wilson wants talent on the line, and receivers to catch his passes, a defense to keep him in games – etc., etc. – he may just want to do some restructuring.
More on that another time. For now, if the Seahawks move Wilson, the partner should be the Dolphins. Tua would be a much better option than the mediocre Darnold from New York, and Miami has the first-round picks to offer, too. But, have you seen what we’ve done with our first-round picks lately? Schneider has been a genius on draft day – except in the first round. Linebacker Jordyn Brooks looks like a winner, and I still have hope for L.J. Collier – but as for the rest – meh. After all, Wilson himself was a third-rounder.
So, please, guys, work this out. Russell Wilson is a generational player. Even great first-round picks just aren’t likely to replace the value Seattle would lose in Number 3. The Seahawks need him on the team. And Mr. Wilson – you need a team, as you clearly know. You can help make that happen. Pete, John, you guys are pretty smart, too. Make it happen.