Are the Seattle Seahawks and Russell Wilson really headed for a breakup?
Seattle's franchise quarterback has reportedly discussed possible trade destinations with the team, and there is suddenly a very real chance Wilson could be on the move this offseason.
That initial report included the Las Vegas Raiders, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets and New Orleans Saints as possible destinations.
However, there was more clarity on Thursday. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Wilson's agent, Mark Rodgers, has said his client hasn't asked for a trade. However, if a trade were in the cards, Wilson would only consider the Saints, Raiders, Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears as possible destinations.
Which of these trade destinations would best suit Russell Wilson at this stage of his career? Let's rank the four teams best equipped to help deliver the 32-year-old realize his championship aspirations.
4. Chicago Bears
It is quite fascinating to hear Russell Wilson prefers the Bears as one of his four landing spots.
Chicago is a big market. It is a rampant football city, and Bears fans would show adoration to Wilson like he has probably not experienced before, given the team has not had a true star quarterback in, well, forever. Wilson was also born in Cincinnati and went to the University of Wisconsin. There is some geographic appeal.
But in terms of the football appeal? I just don't see it. Pro Football Focus ranked Chicago's offensive line 20th out of 32 teams. That's six spots below the Seahawks. Additionally, the Bears have an enormous shortage of talent at the skill positions.
David Montgomery is the real deal at the running back position, but head coach Matt Nagy seemed to misuse him especially early in the season. As for the receiving corps, there is not much there.
Allen Robinson could be motivated to move on after the two sides failed to agree on an extension during the regular season, though trading for Wilson could be a motivator to stick around. Darnell Mooney is an intriguing piece, but Anthony Miller has really struggled to live up to his billing.
Here's the other thing to consider: Chicago's defense has seen a decline in defense-adjusted value over average in the past couple seasons. The once-dominant unit is aging and seemingly waning in its ability to make plays in the defensive backfield and force turnovers.
The Bears do not have a great sense of direction. There is little offensive weaponry or assurances up front, and an aging defense might not bode well for Wilson's future with the organization.
3. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders have a case to be higher on this list.
Las Vegas has an excellent running game with Josh Jacobs in the backfield. The offensive line fared poorly in 2020, but that's mostly due to the absences of Trent Brown and Richie Incognito.
Tight end Darren Waller headlines the receiving corps. Henry Ruggs III might not have had the kind of rookie season he hoped for, but the former Alabama speedster seems like the kind of athletic deep threat who would thrive with Wilson under center. After all, Wilson is one of the best deep-ball quarterbacks in the NFL.
There is also Hunter Renfrow, who has been very capable as a slot receiver. Las Vegas could possibly look to bring back Nelson Agholor after a strong bounce-back season.
But, despite the likelihood of cuts, the Raiders have a few salary cap challenges. Normally, that might not matter. However, the Raiders need the financial flexibility and draft assets to improve the defense.
Las Vegas ranked 30th in defensive scoring and 30th in turnovers. The Raiders need to bolster the pass rush and the secondary, otherwise the defense will continue to have a fairly bleak outlook.
The upside of the offensive unit makes the Raiders an interesting landing spot for Russell Wilson. But can Las Vegas really win with that defense?
2. Dallas Cowboys
Let's first make this clarification: just because the Cowboys could be a more ideal landing spot does not mean Dallas will trade for Russell Wilson.
The Cowboys have shown nothing but loyalty to Dak Prescott, and they seem more intent on getting a long-term deal done with Prescott this offseason, if possible.
In terms of Wilson's preferences, however, the Cowboys have to be toward the top of the list.
Yes, Dallas' offensive line was a mess last season. But La'el Collins did not play a single snap. Tyron Smith essentially missed the entirety of the season, and Zack Martin also missed time. The Cowboys still have one of the best O-lines in football, when healthy. Both Collins and Smith are reportedly progressing well, which bodes well for 2021.
Wilson has the potential to see a huge upgrade in protection in Dallas, pending health. He also would be throwing to some tremendously talented receivers.
Amari Cooper is one of the best receivers in the game. CeeDee Lamb looks for all the world like a budding star, and Michael Gallup is still a terrific deep threat and route runner, in spite of a somewhat disappointing 2020 season.
Dallas' defense was awful against the run last year, but the Cowboys started forcing turnovers down the stretch. They can use some of their cap space and draft capital to upgrade the defense.
Were the Cowboys to somehow pivot to Wilson, the Jones family would do everything in its power to make some splashes in an effort to win immediately.
1. New Orleans Saints
This is the easy one, right?
The Saints have one of the best offensive lines in football, with Pro Football Focus ranking their O-line the eighth-best unit in the NFL in 2020. There is obvious talent at the skill positions.
Michael Thomas' ankle would not let him operate in 2020, but offseason surgery should help matters. Alvin Kamara is one of the best dual-threat running backs in football and is every bit as capable of making plays in the passing game as churning out yards on the ground.
It remains to be seen whether Emmanuel Sanders is a New Orleans cap casualty, but he still has value as a guy who can line up in the slot or out wide. Tre'Quan Smith also showed some upside last season.
Moreover, the Saints have one of the best defenses in the NFL. New Orleans ranked fifth in defensive scoring and third in takeaways in 2020, though they could lose Trey Hendrickson and Marcus Williams in free agency.
Still, the Saints are the kind of team Wilson might desire in terms of winning now, with strong coaching and plenty of talent on both sides of the ball. With Drew Brees likely retiring, replacing him with Russell Wilson would be a dream.
Of course, New Orleans' immense cap challenges and less appealing draft capital might make a Seahawks-Saints trade the least likely of all the aforementioned teams.
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