From "Go 'Hawks" to "No 'Hawks?"
While Russell Wilson is currently temporarily sidelined while he recovers from a finger injury, his future with the Seahawks beyond 2021 might actually be questionable at best.
An offseason of drama and rumors surrounded the passer and the team, with both sides eventually making up and deciding to give it at least one more go in 2021. While the team hasn't reached the highs that it did when they won Super Bowl 48, with Wilson under center, they've been perennial contenders more often than not.
But, as they say, all good things must come to an end, and when the Seahawks and Steelers square off on Sunday night, Wilson might be staring across from a future suitor, if recent reports are to be believed.
Will Russell Wilson be on the Seahawks in 2022?
Fox Sports' Jay Glazer reports that Wilson will "one million percent" request a trade again this offseason, setting up for his exit from Seattle to, well, anyone who will take him.
"Now, of course, they put it back together. Everything is great right now with Pete Carroll," Glazer reported. "He was part of that interview process for Shane Waldron, his offensive coordinator. So, right now everything's great. But in the offseason can I see Russell do this again? A million percent. I see Russell trying to do this again."
Wilson is sure to have a few suitors, including the Pittsburgh Steelers, who will likely be moving forward without Ben Roethlisberger in 2022.
Prior to the start of the 2021 season, Wilson's agent said that there are four teams that Wilson would welcome a trade to: The Bears, Saints, Raiders and Cowboys. With the Bears turning to Justin Fields in the 2021 NFL Draft and Dak Prescott firmly entrenched as Cowboys starter, the Saints and Raiders could remain as possible options.
The Saints are currently on the Jameis Winston rollercoaster through the 2021 season, while a changing of the guard in Las Vegas could leave the door open for a new passer to supplant incumbent starter Derek Carr.
Wilson is still under contract through the 2023 season, but if he's designated a post-June 1 trade next year, then he would be saving the Seahawks $24 million against the cap, while they would incur a $13 million dead cap penalty.
For a team that's closer to rebuilding than contention, Wilson makes for a viable trade chip if they continue to falter in 2021.
Russell Wilson trade rumors
The drama between Wilson and the Seahawks started on the day of Super Bowl 55. Here's the complete timeline of drama between the two sides:
Oct. 8: Fox Sports' Jay Glazer says he believes that Wilson could "a million percent" ask for a trade this offseason, and that the drama between the two sides was actually very real and "dicey."
June 15: Wilson crashes a Pete Carroll press conference and jokes with media: "Just want to let everybody know, we're still friends," Wilson says.
Russell Wilson & Pete Carroll: Still friends. pic.twitter.com/RCtUQcnu9u
— Ari Meirov (@AriMeirov) June 15, 2021
June 10: The summer is fairly quiet, and Wilson says he never actually requested a trade from the Seahawks, according to Pro Football Talk. Wilson says that he's in it to win it, and had great discussions with both Pete Carroll and GM John Schneider following the season.
April 29: The NFL Draft comes and goes, and Wilson is still a member of the Seahawks. Seattle, who is without a first-round pick (the Jets owned the pick in the Jamal Adams trade), only make three selections, and use one on offensive lineman Stone Forsythe in the sixth round.
March 20: Perhaps giving in to Wilson's desire to find a new offensive line, the Seahawks
March 17: Dan Patrick reports that the Bears made a massive offer for Wilson, willing to part with three first-round picks and more for the passer. The decision lies with head coach Pete Carroll, who decided to pass.
March 11: CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reports that the Bears are prepared to make a Godfather offer for Wilson. The Bears are "desperate" per report.
March 9: The Seahawks send out a post-mortem letter to season ticket holders, as is customary among NFL teams. The letter, though, omits Russell Wilson's name despite mentioning the franchise record-setting offensive season they had. The letter mentions wide receivers Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf, too.
March 8: ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the idea that Wilson could be traded is "very real," adding more to the idea that the passer could be dealt in the coming months.
March 5: The Bears, one of the teams Wilson would supposedly OK a trade to, are making trading for the QB their No. 1 priority this offseason. While there are hurdles of cost and trade pieces, the Bears are pushing the chips in for Wilson. In February, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Wilson would "happily accept" a trade to the Bears.
March 4: ESPN's Dianna Russini says that teams are calling regarding Wilson — and Seahawks brass is picking up the phone. While the team isn't "shopping" Wilson, per Russini, they are, at least, listening on his availability.
March 4: NFL insider Dov Kleiman details the rift between the Seahawks and Wilson, and reports that Wilson's inability to sustain his MVP-level play for an entire season is at the forefront. The team doesn't trust Wilson to be the "focal point" of the offense moving forward.
Feb. 25: The Athletic reports that Russell Wilson "stormed out of a meeting" prior to the Seahawks' "Thursday Night Football" matchup vs. the Cardinals. Wilson had ideas on how to fix the Seahawks' offense, but those ideas were dismissed. The Seahawks would win 28-21.
Feb. 25: While Russell Wilson still hasn't formally requested a trade, Wilson's agent Mark Rodgers poked the beehive a bit more. Rodgers tweets that Wilson would accept a trade to one of four teams: the Cowboys, Saints, Raiders or Bears.
Seahawks’ QB Russell Wilson has not demanded a trade, his agent Mark Rodgers told ESPN. Wilson has told the Seahawks he wants to play in Seattle but, if a trade were considered, the only teams he would go to are the Cowboys, Saints, Raiders, Bears.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 25, 2021
Feb. 23: With speculation of a Wilson trade heating up, NFL Network's Michael Silver reports that the Seahawks have clipped a pricetag to Wilson, with the cost in a trade sitting at a gaudy three first-round picks. Silver reports that as many as a third of the teams in the league have called asking for Wilson's availability.
Feb. 11: According to Dan Patrick, the Seahawks are disappointed with the way that Russell Wilson is airing his dirty laundry in the media:
"A source told me that the Seahawks' management is not happy with Russell Wilson and his camp for taking this to the media," Patrick said. "You wonder if they're going to be able to co-exist. … The current situation is not sustainable. That’s what I was told."
Feb. 9: Former wide receiver Brandon Marshall speaks on the situation with the Seahawks and Wilson, offering a bit of inside information. Marshall, who spent time with the Seahawks in 2018, says that the Seahawks don't "believe" in Wilson, and that Wilson is trying to find his way out of Seattle in a "classy" way.
Feb. 9: Speaking on "The Dan Patrick Show," Wilson offers some particularly candid comments on his role with the inner workings of the team, saying he's not involved in personnel decisions and would like to be. Wilson also says that he believes the Seahawks have gotten calls on his availability.
Feb. 8: CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reports that Wilson's camp is dissatisfied with the organization's inability to build an offensive line around the quarterback. Wilson has been sacked 394 times since entering the league. In a bit of foreshadowing, La Canfora reports that the "situation warrants serious monitoring."
I’m hearing Russell Wilson’s camp has grown increasingly frustrated by the Seahawks inability to protect the 8 time Pro Bowler. He has been sacked 394 times in 9 seasons. This situation warrants serious monitoring.
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) February 9, 2021
Jan. 12: Seahawks fire offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. The high-flying 'Hawks offense stalled out in the second half of the season, but they still finish top 10 in points scored (459 is a franchise record).
Jan. 9: Seahawks fizzle out to end their season, losing to the Rams in a 30-20 NFL Super Wild Card weekend matchup.