Russell Wilson’s Teammate Finally Got a Straight Answer Out of Him Concerning His Seahawks future
Throughout this offseason, the Seattle Seahawks have dealt with lingering questions concerning Russell Wilson’s future. The star quarterback aired his frustrations, indicating that his long-term tenure in Seattle could be in question. Those conversations have since cooled, while one of his teammates may have finally provided clarity concerning Wilson’s mind frame ahead of next season.
Russell Wilson sprouts uncertainty around Seahawks’ future
Shortly following Super Bowl 55, Russell Wilson aired some doubt concerning his long-term future with the Seahawks.
Wilson voiced his frustration with the offensive line protection, along with a strong desire for more significant input in roster personnel moves. These comments were followed by his agent putting out a list of teams he where he would welcome a trade if that scenario became serious.
It all led to reports stating that the Seahawks’ starting point for any trade would begin with three first-round picks. However, the chatter has since quieted down in recent weeks as one of his teammates recently provided clarity on the star quarterback’s mindset ahead of the 2021 season.
Russell Wilson’s teammate finally got a straight answer out of him concerning his Seahawks future
As the offseason continues to roll along, there remains a cloud of uncertainty around Russell Wilson.
The trade chatter around Wilson has cooled down, but the talk concerning his long-term future hasn’t gone away. During Carlos Dunlap’s press conference on Tuesday, he voiced that he needed to speak with Wilson to get the assurance he needed to ink his two-year, $13.6 million deal to stay in Seattle. (H/T Pro Football Talk)
“He told me he’s with us, and he’s here to stay, and he said ‘Let’s go Hawks,” Wilson said.
Wilson’s reported words shed light on him being committed to the franchise, at least through this upcoming season. The Seahawks have operated this offseason with his needs in mind.
Seattle re-signed Chris Carson to a two-year, $10.4 million deal while adding other skilled-position talents. The team replaced recently retired Greg Olsen with Gerald Everett on a one-year, $6 million contract.
The Seahawks also improved their offseason line by trading for Gabe Jackson and inking him to a three-year, 22.5 million extension. The team also brought aboard a new offensive coordinator in Shane Waldron and signed Tyler Lockett to a four-year, $69 million extension.
The question now becomes what lies ahead of the 2021 campaign.
Make or break 2021 season ahead
Since reports emerged regarding Russell Wilson’s deep-rooted internal issues with the Seahawks, the team has progressively moved to amend the situation.
However, it’s hard to look too far ahead as Wilson’s future in Seattle could become a serious question next offseason. The fact of the matter is that the Seahawks were not going to trade him this offseason, especially due to his $58 million dead cap hit for the 2021 campaign.
If Seattle struggles in a similar fashion yet again, the situation could be revisited with more seriousness. Wilson’s dead cap hit also drops to $26 million in 2022, which significantly lessens the financial commitment.
The Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints, who are two of the teams on Wilson’s preferred trade list, each hold one-year contracts with their respective starting quarterbacks for the 2021 season. That alone should leave the door open either or both franchises being squarely in the picture if Wilson wants out of Seattle next offseason.
More than anything else, it speaks to the 2021 campaign being pivotal in shaping the Seahawks’ long-term future.
Contract figures courtesy of Spotrac.
