3 potential replacements if Seattle Seahawks trade Russell Wilson
By Geoff Shull
Quarterback option number 1: Derek Carr
The Seahawks under Pete Carroll need a consistent player. They need a player who doesn’t shy from big moments. Most importantly, he needs a player who can accomplish the game plan.
Russell Wilson is an elite deep-ball threat. He is incredible in the big moments. However, for the Seahawks to be successful, the Seahawks don’t necessarily need all of this.
They need someone who can hit the throws. Hit the fade route, hit the man over the middle, read the field, and dump it off to the RB. Nothing splashy. They need a high-end game manager
Incomes Derek Carr. Think of it like going from an elite quarterback to an elite game manager. He averaged a 68 percent completion rate without many viable wide receivers on the roster. He amassed 4,800 yards this season and a career-high 282 yards per contest.
His on-target rate over the last three seasons averaged 80.76 percent. This is actually higher than Russell Wilson’s (78.9 percent). He can hit the short and intermediate throws with his eyes closed. He can see the game plan through.
However, a big part of the discrepancy in target rate is due to the two players’ very different average depth of the throw. There is nearly a two-yard discrepancy between the players. Russell Wilson is much more aggressive in his throws and really pushes the ball down the field. Carr relies on short to intermediate throws to move the ball.
One other item to consider. Wilson’s next contract will likely be something around the $40-$45 million per year mark. Carr is due for free agency in 2023 and will be considerably less expensive to retain. Something in the ballpark of $32-$34 million per year should be enough to maintain the high-level game manager.
Think of this as gaining $10 million per year to add a high-level offensive line or defensive weapon. It adds money to the cache.
What the trade would cost Seattle: 2022 1st and 2023 3rd round picks.
Acquiring contract: 1 year, $19.8 million.