With the Seahawks circling the drain at 4-8 despite a big win over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, reports out of Seattle indicate that Russell Wilson would be open to being traded this offseason if the destination suits him.
According to sports insider/analyst Jordan Schultz, Wilson “would strongly consider” waiving the no-trade clause in his contract if the Seahawks can work out a deal with the Denver Broncos, New York Giants or New Orleans Saints.
The list at least partially jibes with a February report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Wilson’s agent Mark Rodgers informed the Seahawks that his client would prefer to remain in Seattle but would consider being traded to the Cowboys, Saints, Raiders and Bears.
Sacked more than 400 times during his 10 seasons in Seattle, the seven-time Pro Bowler is reportedly frustrated with the lack of protection he has received from the Seahawks’ perpetually leaky offensive line over the past decade.
In a conference call with reporters on Tuesday, Wilson expressed his frustration with the number of times he’s been hit since being drafted in the third round in 2012.
“Like any player, you never want to get hit,” Wilson told reporters prior to the season. “That’s the reality of playing this position. Ask any quarterback who wants to play this game. But at the same time, it’s part of the job and everything else. I’m frustrated [about] getting hit too much. I’m frustrated with that part of it. At the end of the day, you want to win.”
Injured in Week 5 and unable to return to the field until Week 10, Wilson has completed 67.2% of his passes for 2,042 yards, 14 touchdowns and four interceptions in nine games this season and will finish below .500 for the first time in his career unless the Seahawks win their final five games.
At first blush the prospect of Seattle trading Wilson, who will have two years left on the four-year, $140 million extension he signed in April of 2019, seems ridiculous, but the Seahawks may have to give it some real thought if their franchise quarterback truly wants out. If the Seahawks were to ever consider dealing Wilson, the organization and general manager John Schneider’s asking price would start at three first-round draft picks, according to NBC Sports Northwest.
Of course, it’s fair to question whether Schneider would actually be the one pulling the trigger if Wilson does get dealt, as a trade of the one-time Super Bowl champ would signal a full rebuild is underway in Seattle. Were that the case, Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll would also likely be gone, in addition to Wilson. Stay tuned for the offseason.
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