Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks.
Russell Wilson says he wants to stay with the Seattle Seahawks for his entire career. Team management says they want to keep him. The reality is the public image Wilson portrays, and his level of commitment to the organization could be at odds. As for the Seahawks, they might be better off without Wilson if they want to rebuild.
Seattle Seahawks send Russell Wilson and a 2023 fourth-round pick to New York Giants for quarterback Daniel Jones, a 2022 first-round pick (Bears), a 2022 third-round pick (Dolphins), a 2022 fifth-round pick, and a 2023 first-round pick.
After trading away considerable draft capital the past two years, the Seahawks get it all back in one big move. With Wilson gone, Seattle incurs a $26M cap hit in 2022, but it frees up $11M and then an additional $27M in 2023.
Pete Carroll likes Daniel Jones, and his system is made for what this quarterback does best, manage the game. The Seahawks will pick up his fifth-year option, which buys them some time.
The 2022 NFL Draft is light on quarterback talent, but the Seahawks will have Jones. 2023 is a different story. If Danny Dimes proves himself, great. If not, the team has two more first-round picks to work with to find a quarterback.
Daniel Jones got hosed by NYG General Manager Dave Gettleman. By taking him sixth overall in 2019, the Giants set him up for failure. A top-10 QB should be the guy that leads your team to the promised land. Had they drafted him with either of their other two first-round picks, the circumstances would be different
With this trade, Jones gets out of New York’s media spotlight and into an environment more in tune with his skill set. Additionally, he gets to work with the best pair of receivers he’s ever had, Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf.
The Giants are not a good football team, and their fans are ready to revolt. It’s a mild surprise that they haven’t gathered around the team’s offices with pitchforks and torches yet. Wilson is a good sell to the fanbase to hold them off should they rebuild (again).
Even with trading all those picks to Seattle, the G-Men have enough picks in the bank to get some talented players. Wilson’s contract runs through the 2023 season. He buys New York two years before they start looking for a new QB.
Finally, Russ is a winner. When he was still dabbling in baseball, teams brought him into spring training as someone with a proven sports track record and a good influence on young players. The Giants couldn’t find anyone better to establish the right locker room culture.
Before going into all the reasons why this trade is bad for Russ, here are two good ones. First, it increases his post-playing career opportunities. Second, he has an up-and-coming left tackle, Andrew Thomas, to watch his blindside.
Aside from Thomas, the Giants’ offensive line is horrible. If Wilson didn’t like what was in front of him in Seattle, he’ll absolutely hate what he’d have in New York. This season, Russ spent less time running out of pressure.
Tight end Evan Engram is on his way out, and receiver Sterling Shepard is a likely cap casualty. That leaves Kenny Golladay and Kadarius Toney as his main targets. A far cry from Metcalf and Lockett.
Wilson should be prepared to take a beating behind a shaky offensive line and without great receivers to bail him out. Even worse, it’s still New York, and everything is magnified. After a brief honeymoon (that should last about two games), his every mistake will be magnified (in at least four languages) on the back of every tabloid, on three or four all-sports talk radio stations, and at least half-a-dozen local news channels;
What do you think would happen if the Seattle Seahawks traded Russell Wilson to the New York Giants? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.