Will the quarterback carousel in the NFL include the Seattle Seahawks this year? There seemed to be some serious discord between the Seahawks and franchise quarterback Russell Wilson during the 2021 offseason, as a list of teams he would prefer to be traded to was released.
Wilson hadn’t requested a trade, but for a list of that nature to be released, there had to be some inkling of him wanting to make a change. After the Seahawks struggled through a 7-10 season, many presumed that Wilson’s name would once again come up in trade rumors.
Alas, there seems to be a different vibe around Seattle in the 2022 offseason. While the team finished with a worse record, there isn’t as much talk about issues arising among the team. Wilson and head coach Pete Carroll have their differences on how the offense should be run, but things at least seem improved.
However, that can always change. There are plenty of teams that will be in the market for a quarterback this offseason and until Wilson comes out and says that he is committed to the Seahawks and won’t be going anywhere, rumors will persist.
Over at ESPN, a piece was put together where NFL executives make some predictions for 2022. One of the predictions included Wilson, who this executive believes will be wearing a new jersey next season.
“I don’t think they are as high on him as they let on,” an AFC exec said. “You’ve got to remember they’ve looked into trading him multiple times now. You don’t do that with a top guy unless you’re comfortable with it.”
One of the teams that could get in on the bidding for Wilson is the New Orleans Saints. The Saints were on the original four-team list he would waive his no-trade clause for. But, could his feelings about New Orleans be changed now that Sean Payton is stepping away from the head coaching job?
The other three teams on his list were the Dallas Cowboys, Las Vegas Raiders and Chicago Bears. Dallas is set at the position, for better or for worse, with Dak Prescott. Las Vegas could get involved with Derek Carr entering the final season of his contract. If they want a truly clean slate, they could move on from Carr.
The Bears selected Justin Fields in the first of the 2021 NFL Draft. It would be hard to envision them moving on from him, but a new general manager and head coach could want to head in a different direction and acquire a veteran such as Wilson, possibly including Fields in the deal.
The New York Giants, who have two top-10 picks in the 2022 NFL Draft, could get involved as they have a new GM in Joe Schoen and will eventually have a new head coach as well. That market would appeal to Wilson as well, as he reportedly doesn’t want to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers because of his celebrity status.
