Where could Russell Wilson be traded?
By: Jake Rajala
The Seattle Seahawks have lost yet again in heartbreaking fashion against the Chicago Bears in Week 16. It’s becoming very clear that Pete Carroll hasn’t maintained a competitive roster after the “Legion of Boom” fell apart.
At 5-10, the Seahawks hope of reaching the playoffs has been shut down. In a calendar year that Russell Wilson expressed frustration, the Hawks have made matters worse for the once MVP-caliber QB.
I believe that Wilson’s interest in ditching the Washington state has been confirmed as he’s slowly watching the glass below his feet crumble. Matter, in fact, Bleacher Report has reported that “Little to no chance of contract extension”, trade very real”.
If Wilson leaves the hipster city by the Pacific ocean, where could he end up? Well, I’m going to outline three real destinations for the disgruntled QB.
- New Orleans Saints
I fully understand that the New Orleans Saints have been in cap hell and they truly don’t seem overly desperate at the QB position with Jameis Winston in the building. Still, I believe that Seattle will be a bit more open to dealing the veteran QB this offseason and I also foresee Sean Payton aggressively acquiring the talented QB. If Payton has to slightly reshape his juggernaut defense to get Wilson in the same offense with Kamara and Michael Thomas, Payton won’t hesitate to pull the trigger.
ESPN has nicely painted the idea of Wilson landing in NOLA. I don’t know if there would be anything more tempting for NO than acquiring Wilson at any cost rather than picking up (or keeping) a QB and keeping more assets. The SEA QB is flat out worth the effort to reel in for Mickey Loomis and company.
- Pittsburgh Steelers
It appears to be an end of an era for Big Ben in Pittsburgh. The Steelers have firepower on defense, talent at the interesting WR position, and a franchise RB in Najee Harris. Still, there will be a massive question mark at the QB spot in the 2022 offseason.
The Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is the one that laughs off college head coaching questions and makes bold decisions to push his team to another Super Bowl appearance. Tomlin knows that he has a roster that isn’t quite ready to be rebuilt. If they can pick up a talented signal-caller, they will be near or above their 12-4 record in 2020. On another note, the Steelers are not in the NFC conference (where Seattle rests).
- Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns have a big decision to make with Baker Mayfield. If Mayfield continues to play as he did against Green Bay, it will be an easy decision for GM Andrew Berry to send the former first overall pick out the door after OBJ.
Alike the Steelers, the Browns have greek gods on the defensive side of the ball. Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward are the best or near the top of their respective positions. The team also fields a bowling ball, Top 3 RB in Nick Chubb. Wilson will also have Jarvis Landry and Austin Hooper to play with on offense. The Browns surely play out as a solid fit and they have the management that has the nerve to get creative with such a transaction.