Russell Wilson trade reportedly could still happen before Week 1

Russell Wilson trade rumors slowed down after Andy Dalton signed with the Chicago Bears. However, despite the talk of a blockbuster deal going away, it seems the possibility of a league-altering move is still on the table.

NFL teams started inquiring with the Seahawks about a blockbuster trade in early February, but general manager John Schneider quickly shot those hopes down. After Wilson came forward and publicly expressed frustration with the roster and the number of hits he takes, the situation changed.

The tension between the two sides suddenly escalated. The Seahawks weren’t pleased that the franchise quarterback threw the organization under the bus, and Wilson stopped hiding his distrust with the amount of power head coach Pete Carroll has in the building.

When the eight-time Pro Bowl quarterback provided Seattle with a list of teams to which he’d accept a trade, the front office started listening to offers. The Chicago Bears eventually made a huge offer for Wilson, but Carroll ultimately made the call to hang onto his franchise star for the time being. While that would have seemingly put an end to potential hopes for a blockbuster deal, a new NFL rumor suggests it’s still possible.

ESPN’s Jeff Darlington said this week on The Rich Eisen Show that he still believes Seattle could trade Wilson before Week 1 of the 2021 NFL season.

“It still doesn’t feel like we’re headed toward Russell Wilson in Week 1 in Seattle. That’s just kinda based on, yes, what I know, in terms of where that relationship is at. It doesn’t feel like there is some sort of Kumbaya thing going on where they’ve figured it out. It’s also just a little, instinctive sort of perspective based off what we’ve already experienced with other quarterbacks out there.”

NFL insider Jeff Darlington on whether Seattle Seahawks will trade Russell Wilson or not, via The Rich Eisen Show

Wilson has seemed to be happy with Seattle’s moves this offseason. He celebrated the return of Carlos Dunlap and was very happy after the Seahawks re-signed Chris Carson. But it seems evident that the fracture in the relationship with the front office and coaching staff isn’t completely repaired.

Will the Seahawks trade Wilson?

There remains a chance Wilson stays with Seattle in 2021. It’s the outcome many league executives anticipate. Part of that thinking might tie directly with the trade list he provided. The Bears and Las Vegas Raiders don’t have the draft capital to convince the Seahawks to pull the trigger on a blockbuster trade. As for the New Orleans Saints, they lack the draft picks and salary-cap space to obtain him.

If Wilson wants to be moved this year, he needs to expand the list of teams for which would waive his no-trade clause. There will be plenty of clubs interested in him, especially with the ongoing Deshaun Watson allegations and lawsuits. The Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos have rosters capable of competing immediately, but they are missing that star quarterback.

Most importantly, they are ideal trade partners for Seattle. The Dolphins can put the No. 6 overall pick in a Tua Tagovailoa trade package, giving the Seahawks a young quarterback and a top-10 pick. Seattle likely wouldn’t love a Drew Lock trade, but the Broncos could include the No. 9 overall pick, a 2022 first-round pick and additional assets.

It’s incredibly rare for a quarterback of Wilson’s caliber to become available, but the Seahawks are clearly ready to make a franchise-changing move if the right offer comes along.