A potential blockbuster trade for Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson will surely be the hot topic of the offseason, but will it actually happen?
Highly unlikely, said Seattle Times reporter Bob Condotta on SportsTalk this week, projecting the veteran QB will return for 2022.
"He has 2 years left on his contract. I guess you could force your way out by holding out, or whatever, but I don’t think that’s Russell’s style," Condotta said. "The indications are sorta that Russell was a little uncomfortable with how that went last year and his name being in the news like that all the time and having to answer those types of questions. I think he’s more than content to sort of play out the 1 year."
Listen to the full interview with Bob Condotta below. Can't see the embed? Click here.
Trade teasers for the Super Bowl champion quarterback have been smoldering throughout the season, with an apparent list for Wilson's preferred destinations stoking the fires for several teams. The Saints were among the teams rumored to be of interest to Wilson, whose contract includes a no-trade clause allowing him to veto a potential deal.
Wilson is due a hefty amount the next two seasons, including cap hits of $37 million and $40 million in the 2022 and 2023 seasons as his contract is currently structured.
The Saints and other teams who might bid on his services would likely kick the tires, but it'd come down to whether the Seahawks were even willing to trade their quarterback with 2 years left on his deal. They don't have an heir apparent waiting in the wings, so their QB future would become cloudy at best. Condotta says the team ownership met last week and opted to keep on coach Pete Carroll and GM John Schneider, hinting that the idea will be to "run it back" one more year and see what happens. The team did fire defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr, but that'll be unlikely to heavily impact the situation in regard to Wilson.
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The Seahawks had an uncharacteristic down season in 2021, finishing 7-10 with Wilson himself missing three games due to injury. It was the Seahawks' first losing season since before Wilson was drafted in 2012, but the team has looked further and further away from Super Bowl contention each of the past several seasons.
"I think [Wilson is] sort of understanding that they’re gonna run it back with the main core that they have here," Condotta said, "and so play next year, then see what happens going into the year after that when it would make a lot more sense and sort of is within the way the NFL works, is go ahead and demand a new contract then.”
Still, even if Wilson does head out of town, it likely wouldn't come until the final year of his deal. If that's the case, it'd rule out any movement in 2022 and potentially simplify the math for the Saints as they address their own QB situation heading into next season. Jameis Winston won a starting QB competition in the offseason and started the Saints' first seven games, but had his season end early due to a knee injury. He's progressing in his rehab, but it remains unclear whether he'd be brought back. The 28-year-old finished out his 1-year deal and is set to be a free agent this offseason.
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The Saints started Taysom Hill over the final stretch of the season, who will be under contract in 2022. The Saints also have rookie Ian Book, who started one game, the COVID crisis Week 16 matchup against the Dolphins.
Whether that shakes out with a Winston return, more Taysom time, a test for the young Book, a blockbuster trade for another quarterback, or a name added in free agency or the draft, the plans for the future QB will likely be the top storyline of the Saints' offseason.