Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson‘s rise to elite status wasn’t cookie cutter. His NFL story starts with a senior transfer from the University of Wisconsin Badgers drafted 75th overall in 2012. At the beginning of his career, he had nothing but doubters. The media said at 5-11, he was small to fit the mold of an NFL quarterback. Wilson had to fight those stereotypes as well as former Aaron Rodgers backup Matt Flynn, his first preseason to win the Seahawks starting QB job. Since then, he has done nothing but impress his teammates, the 12s, and the NFL.
Seattle had some very good teams pre-RW3. But since Wilson became the starter his rookie year, 12’s watched this franchise change for the better. Their success is due to the convictions of GM John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll. They took a chance on a smaller quarterback who most “experts” thought didn’t have enough size to do the job.
In the last three years, Russell Wilson put up some astonishing numbers. From 2017 through 2019, Russell threw for 11,541 yards, 100 TDs, and 22 interceptions plus he ran for another 1,304 yards and six scores. RW3 should have been league MVP several times by now. But for some reason, he kept getting overlooked by the league. NBC Sunday Night Football Chris Collinsworth even said it himself on a recent Sunday night game in Seattle against the Vikings, that he never even voted for him. He did, however, apologize to the fans.
So why does the NFL keep overlooking this guy? Those are some fantastic numbers. RW3 should have been voted MVP last season but was beaten by Lamar Jackson. The same as it was the year before with Patrick Mahomes.
I’m not saying that either one of those players didn’t deserve their just rewards, but c’mon, Wilson is every bit the rock star on the field as Jackson and Mahomes. Through the opening five games of 2020, RW3 threw for 1,502 yards, 19 touchdowns, and only three yes three interceptions (one of which went through his receiver’s hands). Also, he succeeded so far this year with a banged-up offensive line. On the other side of the ball, the Seattle Seahawks defense is like a leaking canteen (maybe a little harsh). Rarely does Wilson have the luxury of an “easy” game, quarter, or drive.
As for the positives, Wilson’s wide receivers are more in sync and focused this year (not like weren’t any other year). D.K. Metcalf came up big several times when the Seattle Seahawks needed him to make a play. As he did his first five NFL seasons, arguably the most underrated wide receiver in the league Tyler Lockett is out there doing his thing to support the cause for RW3 FOR MVP.
What else will it take for the league to recognize Russell Wilson’s pure talent? In the meantime, RW3 has to keep on keeping on. Win games and rack up stats.
This will be the year that Russell finally gets his overdue trophy.