The Seattle Seahawks have a big decision to make about quarterback Russell Wilson. Do they try to find a way to keep the Super Bowl-winning signal-caller happy or do they trade him so that he and the franchise can get a fresh start and move forward?
It’s been hard to tell exactly what either side actually wants. Wilson has said he’s interested in staying in Seattle but hasn’t exactly seemed rock-solid about it. He also has a no-trade clause in his contract so if the team did want to trade him they’d have to work with him on it.
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said this week that they have “no intention” of trading Wilson, though not intending to do something is not the same as saying you definitely won’t do it.
Wilson was asked earlier in the week how he might feel about playing for the Washington Commanders.
“I love the East Coast, but I think the West Coast is better for me right now,” Wilson said. “I’ve got my whole family over here. I’m from Richmond, I know what you mean. I’ve got people hitting me up every day — all my friends and all that from the East Coast. But Seattle’s the place where I’m at right now and I love it and it’s great.”
However, that apparently hasn’t stopped the Commanders from inquiring, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport and WaPo reporter Nicki Jhabvala.
How serious are the #Commanders in their search for a QB? Sources say they made a strong offer to the #Seahawks on Russell Wilson. It didn’t go anywhere. But a sign Washington is ready to deal. And given what they have on their roster, they may be a QB away.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 4, 2022
Reported yesterday Washington had made a competitive offer for a veteran QB. Source confirms it was for Russell Wilson.
Ron Rivera has said multiple times that they plan to be aggressive and that he prefers a veteran.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) March 4, 2022
“Sources say they made a strong offer to the Seahawks on Russell Wilson,” said Rapoport. “It didn’t go anywhere. But a sign Washington is ready to deal. And given what they have on their roster, they may be a QB away.”
It certainly sounds like Wilson isn’t interested in heading to that part of the country, if he does agree to any trades, but it’s a testament to how serious Washington is about securing their quarterback situation.
Meanwhile, plenty of folks around the NFL had reactions to the news that the Commanders asked about Wilson.
Approach 1: Shake tree to see if any top-tier QBs fall out.
If Approach 1 fails, move to Approach 2: Make an offer for Jimmy Garoppolo https://t.co/nezDLmIUWC
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) March 4, 2022
1. Not surprised #Commanders went for it. Have draft picks + salary cap + defensive talent to offer
2. Not surprised #Seahawks rejected
3. People are clowning the "a QB away" but WAS won 7 and have one of the easiest schedules next year. A good QB can easily be +2/+3 in WAR. https://t.co/VCVdF28dD9— Samuel Gold (@SamuelRGold) March 4, 2022
Seahawks made clear this week they aren't looking to move Wilson. This gives proof those statements were more than just words. https://t.co/Gg8beOFGYc
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) March 4, 2022
You miss 100% of the shots you don't take https://t.co/du6WlPhAh9
— Robert Rimpson+ (@Rimpsanity) March 4, 2022
Not that Seattle is trading Russell Wilson, but what’s a “strong” offer that’d make Seahawks think about doing it?
If we’re talking #Saints I think it could be:
2022 1st
2023 1st
2023 3rd
Cesar Ruiz
Payton Turner https://t.co/dongck3bxz— Fletcher Mackel (@FletcherWDSU) March 4, 2022
Wilson’s contract with the Seahawks runs through 2023 so it’s very likely they’ll bring him back for next season with the following offseason being the true test of whether or not he or the franchise want to continue moving forward together. But you can’t blame other NFL teams for asking about the nine-time Pro Bowler.
[Ian Rapoport, Nicki Jhabvala]
