Russell Wilson hasn’t been traded for the 2021 season. But while the focus is on whether Aaron Rodgers and/or Deshaun Watson will be available in reason for some teams to upgrade to the elite veteran QB option in the future. Close or not, it seems the stars are fitting for Wilson to be removed from the Seahawks in 2022.
Wilson, although contracted through 2023, could be traded for a $26 million salary deduction with Seattle losing just $11 million in dead next year. Last season, he was unhappy with the direction of offense and there was a change of dispatcher there, but with a finger injury he missed the first game of his career and faced the season. With the first loss of his career, Wilson may need to change teams to get his best shot at the second Super Bowl round.
The Seahawks quarterback is looking to prolong the peak of his career as he turns 33 on the same day his team plays in Washington to end Week 12 on “Monday Night Football”. Wilson had a commercial destination wish list reported soon, but recent developments regarding QB situations surrounding the league should have changed that. Some all-round talent teams that feel like they’re just top QBs – check out the 2020 Buccaneers ahead of Tom Brady – will be aggressively trying to get the Seahawks to move Wilson, especially if Rodgers can stay at Green Bay and Watson can’t clear obstacles off his big yard.
According to a report in March, Wilson’s four favorite destinations are the Cowboys, Saints, Raiders or Bears. For Wilson’s purposes, three of those teams make no sense anymore. Dallas has Dak Prescott. Las Vegas is in for a tough coaching transition with Derek Carr. Chicago must move forward with Justin Fields in a new mode. New Orleans could also be disqualified due to its single investment in Taysom Hill.
So where does Wilson really want to go most in the 2022 trade for a chance to improve on the championship?
THAN: Timeline of Russell Wilson’s early-season feud with the Seahawks
Russell Wilson’s Best Landing Spot of 2022
Washington football team
Washington has a great attack system and varied passing game with coordinator Scott Turner. Norv’s son has some of the same power sensibilities as the Seahawks have but also likes to push the ball down the field. Taylor Heinicke has flashed in this diagram thanks to his prolific arm and physique.
Between Antonio Gibson, Terry McLaurin, Logan Thomas, former Seahawks player JD McKissic, there are also a lot of attacking skills support. With Ron Rivera, Martin Mayhew and Jason Wright, WFT now has a more engaging leadership team. The team is also likely to have a top-tier defense once again as they get all their talents out of a fog.
When Wilson celebrates his birthday playing in “another” Washington, he should be thinking about whether he can play a second act in the nation’s capital. It’s no shame that Washington is not far from his hometown of Richmond in Virginia. With Prescott in Dallas and Jalen Hurts emerging in Philadelphia, Wilson could change WFT’s QB status in NFC East a lot quicker than a drafted rookie.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers are going through Ben Roethlisberger’s swan song, more likely to end up with him retiring before the season at 40 than they are forced to make a tough decision in 2022. As they battle for a playoff spot in the AFC, they thought there would be a mid-to-late spot in the first round of drafts.
They have a team poised to win big with TJ Watt leading the way and Najee Harris appearing in the running game. They also received immediate youth appeal with Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool and Pat Freiermuth. Wilson was also able to recreate a strong head coach relationship with Mike Tomlin, also a Virginia native.
Dancer broncos
The Broncos had limited profits with Teddy Bridgewater replacing Drew Lock. They will enter the long-term franchise-style QB solutions market through every avenue available to John Elway and general manager George Paton. Denver would have the right draft position to hit a top lead, but it’s also tied to the pursuit of Rodgers or Watson.
The real question is whether Wilson sees the Broncos as potential contenders, as they have been hard to fade in the AFC West behind the Chiefs, Chargers and Raiders. They could also progress to a big transition with the switch from coach Vic Fangio. Remember that Brady and then Matthew Stafford – from the Lions to the Rams – ended up in stable organizational situations to help maximize their veteran presence.
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers have signed Cam Newton and he’s had moments of cleaning up the mess midway through their absolute mid-season in midfield, but he shouldn’t be a real solution for 2022 and beyond. so more. Like Wilson, Newton is in his final season at the age of 32.
So where will the energetic general manager Scott Fitterer and coach Matt Rhule go to tackle the most important position for several seasons? Watson, just 26 years old, is a good bet to be a target if he wants to avoid any disciplinary action. But when considering the more seasoned QBs, Wilson would be more in line with their attacking philosophy with Joe Brady than with Rodgers.
The Panthers need an upgrade on the left shot, but they’ll have strong skill support with Christian McCaffrey, DJ Moore and Terrace Marshall Jr. They also have a promising young defense when everyone is healthy? Will they have enough money to sell Wilson, a former NC State QB, to move back to North Carolina? That is the most questionable part.
Miami Dolphins
If Miami continues to be interested in Watson as a potential young upgrade for Tua Tagovailoa, GM Chris Grier and coach Brian Flores will explore all possible QB options in 2021, from Rodgers to becoming rookie. Wilson falls somewhere in the middle of that spectrum.
Like the other teams above, there are attractive, market-leading coaching and personnel elements. It depends on whether Dolphins wants to invest the draft capital in an older QB.
Giants in New York
This is the group that represents Wilson’s service. There could be more big changes in New York, perhaps GM Dave Gettleman and/or coach Joe Judge joining in on the house cleaning. That could also include a reboot from Daniel Jones in search of the QB franchise.
There are several dynamic attacking options available to the Giants, including running back Saquon Barkley and narrow players Kenny Golladay, Kadarius Toney, Sterling Shepard and tight finish Evan Engram. Andrew Thomas also emerged as a powerful left-hander. Their defense can also be a more effective extra unit with better offensive ability.
With the Giants, Wilson might have a chance to have the veteran QB personnel and intrigue power Brady enjoys with the Buccaneers. But selling him in a package is great for replacing Jones while tied to a fancy caller and/or trainer.
