Russell Wilson will make his 158th career start for the Seahawks on Sunday against the Cardinals.
Will it be his last?
Seattle is 6-10 this season, and signs point to a potential roster teardown after a decade of dominance. It seems clear that coach Pete Carroll and Wilson can no longer co-exist, as they have major philosophical differences on how the offense should be run.
It’s extremely rare for a Pro Bowl-level quarterback to be available on the trade market, so if Wilson is put on the block, the Seahawks will have a long list of suitors.
Wilson will be 34 next season and under contract at a team-friendly rate through 2023, so the return will be handsome, though Wilson has a no-trade clause and would have to agree to the deal.
If your favorite NFL team could trade for a "potentially available QB" after the season is over…who are you trading for? #RussellWilson #AaronRodgers #DeshaunWatson #NFL
— Sherlon Christie (@sherlonchristie) January 5, 2022
Here are the five destinations that would make the most sense for all parties involved:
5. Miami Dolphins
Proposed Trade Compensation: QB Tua Tagovailoa, 2022 first-round pick, 2022 second-round pick, 2023 first-round pick via 49ers
The Dolphins have some talented players, especially on defense, but inconsistent quarterback play has kept them from becoming true contenders. There is non-stop speculation that Deshaun Watson will be the quarterback heading to Miami, but acquiring Wilson would allow the Dolphins to avoid trading for a player accused of sexual misconduct by 22 women.
Tagovailoa was the No. 5 overall pick in 2020 but has yet to live up to his draft status. Seattle would get him at a cheap rate for the next two seasons, and it could then beef up the roster in other areas.
Seattle doesn’t have its first-round pick this season because of the Jamal Adams trade — whoops — but would get one from Miami along with an extra second-rounder. Then they would have a pair of first-round picks in 2023 to continue the rebuilding process.
4. New York Giants
Proposed Trade Compensation: QB Daniel Jones and New York’s two 2022 first-round picks
The Giants could have a pair of top-10 picks in the 2022 draft: their own, and the one acquired from the Bears in the Justin Fields trade. This deal would be very simple, as Seattle would get the certainty of two high picks instead of wondering where future firsts would end up in the draft order. The Seahawks would also get a look at Jones, who would be very cheap in the final year of his rookie contract.
The Giants are just 4-12 this season, and trading for a soon-to-be 34-year-old quarterback would have risk. If Wilson starts to decline, it will put the franchise in a bad spot for the foreseeable future.
But if Wilson joined New York and continued his career-long production, it could mean an immediate elevation to relevancy. There are some intriguing pieces on the New York offense, including running back Saquon Barkley, wide receiver Kenny Golladay, wide receiver Kadarius Toney, wide receiver Sterling Shepard and emerging left tackle Andrew Thomas.
Wilson has reportedly said he would waive his no-trade clause to play for New York.
3. Cleveland Browns
Proposed Trade Compensation: QB Baker Mayfield, 2022 first-round pick, 2022 second-round pick, 2023 first-round pick, 2023 third-round pick
The Browns are only 7-9 this season after winning 11 games a year ago, and much of it can be pinned on the erratic play of Mayfield. Cleveland has a solid roster on both sides of the ball, and the acquisition of Wilson would vault them to contender status immediately.
The draft compensation would be higher than in the other two hypotheticals because Mayfield will make $18.9 million next season, which is not a discount based on his recent production, and Cleveland would be able to clear his salary in the deal. The Seahawks, though, would get a look at him as well as a bounty of draft picks.
The Browns are in good cap shape and need to strike while the iron is hot. If Wilson is available this offseason, they should be aggressive.
2. New Orleans Saints
Proposed Trade Compensation: 2022 first-round pick, 2022 second-round pick, 2023 first-round pick, 2023 fourth-round pick
No team mortgages the future quite like the Saints, and this would certainly continue that theme. New Orleans has a Super Bowl-caliber defense but had major issues at quarterback in 2021. Much of that was injury-related, and the Saints could choose to bring back Jameis Winston at a substantially lower cost.
However, the addition of Wilson would return them to contender status, even if it would potentially lead to issues down the road. At some point, the Saints are going to have to enter a serious rebuilding phase because they are in horrible cap shape, but they have put it off this long, so why not add Wilson and extend the championship window a few more years?
Where will Russell Wilson play next season? @JasonLaCanfora says it could be the @MiamiDolphins. But @RichGannon12 says it could be with the @Saints, @steelers or @Broncos.
Find out why ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/hMVqhDEYk6
— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) January 3, 2022
1. Denver Broncos
Proposed Trade Compensation: CB Patrick Surtain, 2022 first-round pick, 2022 second-round pick via Rams, 2023 fourth-round pick
The most logical landing spot for Wilson is the Broncos. Denver is allowing 18.4 points per game this season, which is third-lowest in the NFL. Some of that is propped up by the team’s style of play, but there are talented pieces on defense.
The offense was solid enough when Teddy Bridgewater was healthy, which means that the complementary pieces should excel if Wilson takes over as quarterback.
The Seahawks could push for a quicker rebuild by insisting rookie cornerback Patrick Surtain is the centerpiece of the deal. It wouldn’t cost Denver as much draft capital, but Surtain would be a big loss.
It’s going to take a lot to pry Wilson from the Seahawks, but even at this price, Denver would immediately improve. The Broncos need to make a splash with the Chiefs and Chargers positioned so well in their division, and hey, it worked once before with Peyton Manning.
