Last week Ian Rapoport reported that quarterback Russell Wilson wants to explore his options to go with other teams. Let’s explore the top 5 trades Seattle Seahawks can make if the star QB decides to move on from the Emerald City.
We have seen this episode not long ago during last year’s offseason when Russ disclosed which teams he was willing to waive his no-trade clause. Nothing materialized back then, however, with all the uncertainty surrounding the Seahawks this coming off-season, one has to wonder whether or not the Seattle Seahawks will trade its franchise quarterback and long-time face of the team.
If the Seahawks intend to trade Russ, here are the top 5 trade options for them:
5 potential trades for Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins were rumored to be heavily pursuing Texans QB Deshaun Watson during the season. There is no denying that the Dolphins were looking to improve their quarterback position, however, the deal with the Texans fell apart.
Miami is still searching for their next head coach. Will the new head coach endorse the incumbent quarterback, or will he decide a change?
If Miami comes calling, Seattle can ask for Tua Tagovailoa plus a young pass-catcher and the Dolphins 2022 1st rounder (30th overall), 50th overall pick, and the 2023 1st rounder. Tua is not a world-beater, not by any stretch. He is still a developing young quarterback on a rebuilding team. If given the right structures, and offensive arsenals around him, he will flourish in Seattle.
Denver Broncos
There has been a lot of chatter about the Denver Broncos looking to acquire a franchise quarterback recently. The team is getting linked to names like Aaron Rodgers, Deshaun Watson, and of course, Russell Wilson.
A Seahawks deal of Russell Wilson to Broncos is less desirable than a trade with the Jets. The Denver Broncos may not have a young talented quarterback on their roster, but the team does currently hold the 9th overall pick in this year’s rookie draft.
If Seattle indeed moves Russ to Denver, it will take more than their 2022 1st rounder to make this trade happen. The Seahawks can ask Broncos for a young defensive lineman and/or a pass catcher (i.e. TE Noah Fant) to package with the 9th overall pick plus this year’s 2nd rounder (40th overall) and 2023 1st rounder for Russ.
Should this deal come to fruition, Seahawks have the option to take collegiate QB Kenny Pickett for their 9th overall pick and then bolster their offensive line with the 40th and 41st picks on the second round. This deal not only offers Seahawks a young signal caller but also gives them an opportunity to improve their team’s offensive line woes whilst adding another offensive weapon alongside DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.
Philadelphia Eagles
A team the Seahawks has to anticipate dealing with is the Philadelphia Eagles, which are currently holding three 1st round picks (yes, 3!) in this year’s draft. It’s not necessarily that the Eagles will part ways with any of those picks, but if the team decides to move on from QB Jalen Hurts, they might use those picks to try to land a franchise QB. That said, any quarterback taken in the draft will be a risk, of course. Why not get a known commodity like Wilson?
Adding any combination of Philadelphia’s 1st round picks with Hurts in order to land Russ will be enticing to Seattle. This trade immediately upgrades the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback while the Seahawks, acquire a young and mobile developing signal-caller while also getting high draft picks this year.
There are tons of negativity thrown towards Jalen Hurts’ ability to throw the ball well consistently this year, but Hurts still managed to throw for 3,144 yards and 16 touchdowns, with 9 interceptions.
Let’s not forget his greater talent, his rushing, wherein he rushed for 784 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns! Hurts’ rushing upside combined with talented pass-catching weapons will definitely help the Seattle Seahawks running game next season.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers are looking to replace their franchise QB Ben Roethlisberger, who recently announced his retirement. Big Ben leaves a massive hole at center in Pittsburgh, which might lead the Steelers to look for his immediate replacement via trade, instead of taking a young quarterback in this year’s draft.
Pittsburgh holds the 20th overall pick this year. As aforementioned, with the Broncos trade option, a 1st rounder alone will not be enough for the Seahawks to make a deal with the Steelers. A deal with the Steelers will take Pittsburgh’s 20th overall pick, combined with a young offensive pass catcher and/or a defensive lineman, plus the 52nd overall pick and a 2023 1st rounder just to be able to nudge the Seahawks.
If the Seattle Seahawks do decide to pursue this trade option, they can still manage to land a quarterback in this year’s NFL draft should the Denver Broncos land their QB via trade or free agency. There are a lot of moving parts potentially here, but if everything falls into place, the Seahawks will still be able to improve the overall makeup of their team for the next several seasons.
New York Jets
The New York Jets currently hold the number 4 and number 10 overall picks in this year’s NFL Draft. If the Jets decide to trade their young quarterback, Zach Wilson, with either the 4th pick or the 10th pick (or maybe even both picks) to get Russell Wilson, will we see a Wilson for Wilson swap?
This move sounds promising. While the Jets definitely have the cap space to be able to take on Russ Wilson’s salary, the Seahawks on the other hand will acquire a promising sophomore quarterback who threw for 2,334 yards and 9 touchdowns with 11 interceptions in his rookie year.
Those are not staggering numbers but Zach Wilson flashed some brilliance this season, not only with his arms but also with his legs.
If this trade moves forward it will not set the Seattle Seahawks far back from their competition. Yes, it will be difficult to replace Russell Wilson, however, freeing up some cap space and being able to draft good quality players early in this year’s draft can exponentially help the team in immediately fixing some challenges and be a worthy contender not only this year but in years to come.