Earlier this week, rumors surfaced regarding the possibility of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson being traded to the New York Giants.
The buzz surrounding this idea of a mega-trade makes for very interesting conversations and speculations as for how this deal can work out for both parties.
But above all else, it's ultimately Wilson who is the crux of this spicy rumor that should get the Giants organization and its fans salivating from the mere thought of having their current Super Bowl-winning quarterback pass the proverbial torch to a much younger Super Bowl-winning QB.
Without further ado, here are three reasons why Wilson is a perfect fit in New York and why the Giants should do whatever they can to land the prolific play-caller.
3. More Personal Growth and Entertainment Opportunities for the Power Couple
To kick things off, let's put the spotlight on Wilson's personal life and what it means for him and his family to move to The Big Apple.
When FS1's Colin Cowherd first mentioned the rumors about a possible Wilson trade to New York, the focus was briefly placed on Wilson's wife Ciara, who is a famous R&B performer that's fallen off of the music radar of late. Cowherd cited that Ciara would greatly benefit from the move as she'd be able to garner more opportunities in the entertainment industry in NYC than what's she's currently getting in Seattle.
As for the often humble and controversy-averse quarterback, moving to the one of the biggest media-centric markets shouldn't interfere with his personal life as much as what he's accustomed to in the Emerald City.
Wilson's such a household name in the NFL already that he's getting enough media coverage as he possibly could. Moreover, moving to New York will turn in more endorsement deals and off-field revenue; the money he earns from which he can then use to build a more lucrative nest egg for his family's future and/or added security from the city's limelight.
All things considered, the move to New York has more upside than actual pitfalls. We also can't wait for Ciara's story on how she played a part in convincing Wilson to make the West-to-East “1,2 Step” a reality.
2. The Prospect of a Run-Pass Option-Heavy Offense with Saquon Barkley
The Seahawks have made it to two Super Bowls and countless postseason trips in seasons past mainly because of Wilson's prowess in head coach Pete Carroll's run-pass option-heavy offense.
The mobile quarterback has used his agility and ability to read defenses time and again to great success. Just last season, Seattle led all NFL teams in total rushing yards, with Wilson accounting for 376 of those the 2,560 yards on the ground. Furthermore, Wilson has never had a season wherein he's attempted less than 67 rushing attempts in his seven years in Seattle.
Opposing defenses fear Wilson's scrambling ability so much that they tend to forget about taking care of the Seahawks' backfield corps. That being said, New York's Saquon Barkley is a perfect running mate alongside Wilson that would open up the G-Men's offensive playbook to a myriad of RPO schemes that the team hasn't utilized before.
It's hard to imagine that Barkley's spectacular rookie campaign could've been even better if he wasn't the only consistent performer on the Giants' 2018 squad. Opposing teams know that the rock is always going to be in the hands of Barkley. In turn, it was often the case that the 22-year-old wonder out of Penn State had to create running lanes and open up passing routes by himself.
Newly-appointed Giants head coach Pat Shurmur already had successful stints at leading prolific offenses in Minnesota and Philadelphia this decade. If Shurmur can indeed work with a Wilson-Barkley duo as the focal point of his offense, New York could very well become the league's next offensive juggernaut.
1. The Giants Desperately Need a New Face of the Franchise, Period
It's finally time to address the elephant in the room: the future of Eli Manning in East Rutherford.
The Giants cannot be grateful enough for the two Lombardi Trophies that Manning has won for the proud organization. However, the sad reality is that the future Hall-of-Fame candidate is already 38 years old and hasn't had a truly stellar season since 2015.
Manning's inconsistency and increasing penchant for turning the ball over at the worst possible moment has gotten even the most loyal G-Men fans calling for change. Throw in the fact that Manning's favorite target in Odell Beckham Jr. is no longer with the team, and New York has virtually lost half of its offensive identity and general appeal.
That being said, Russ is the right man to take over the reigns from Eli. Wilson can breathe new life into New York's offense with his dynamic skill set both on the ground and in the air, whereas sticking with Manning and his pocket-passing tendencies will only stunt the growth of the likes of Barkley and the rest of New York's young offensive core.
The question remains: Are the Giants are ready to move on from their aging quarterback? If so, they should definitely do everything in their power to make a deal for Wilson and save themselves from being the ridicule of the NFL for passing up on this golden opportunity.
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