Seattle Seahawks: 3 takeaways from a franchise-altering day
By Jake Luppino
![SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 26: Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates with Bobby Wagner #54 after a successful point-after field goal attempt against the Chicago Bears during the third quarter at Lumen Field on December 26, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 26: Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates with Bobby Wagner #54 after a successful point-after field goal attempt against the Chicago Bears during the third quarter at Lumen Field on December 26, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2F12thmanrising-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2018-2F08-2F1361402442-850x560-f71dd2f7b71db0e67408573d3925bbd6295abf674fb4d7bd00e18bcccbce9633.jpg)
Both sides wanted this
An uncontested divorce is one in which both parties agree to work out all the legalities before making it official with a court appearance. Essentially, it’s one in which both sides have realized their time has come to a halt and rather than letting things get ugly, they resolve it quickly. Similar to the end of the Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks relationship.
For the most part, this was kept private between the two camps and the situation never really got ugly. Towards the home stretch of the season and in the offseason, whenever given the chance, Russell Wilson reiterated his love for the city, the team and expressed his faith in remaining a Seahawk. But, it is important to remember that Russell Wilson did indeed want out. If he didn’t, this trade never happens.
Before we awake the angry troll mob towards Russell Wilson, maybe he did actually have a point in wanting out. As Brady Henderson of ESPN reports, the Seahawks expressed serious pre-draft interest in Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes. That could have been the start of the “trust issues” that broiled over between Russell and Seattle management. Being the ambitious person that Russell Wilson is and believing in his talent, he wanted more say in the personnel around him. Simply, he wanted more power. Which, initiated the discourse.
For Seattle, they just couldn’t get out of their own way. They were stuck on the philosophy that won them the Super Bowl. A young, athletic quarterback on a cheap contract who gives them the power to spend more money on the defensive side. Run the ball. Play good defense. Win the field possession battle. Hence, probably why they showed interest in both Allen and Mahomes. But, they were willing to listen to Russell and give him a pass-first offense in 2020. Even gave him a more up-tempo, no-huddle offense in 2021.
It just seemed that there was a power struggle with either side willing to budge. To keep it frank, the relationship had an expiration date.