Odds Now Favor Seahawks Trading Russell Wilson Before 2021 NFL Season
- Odds are now -130 favoring that the Seattle Seahawks will trade quarterback Russell Wilson
- It’s +100 that Wilson remains with the Seahawks
- Wilson’s agent stated that his client has not requested that Seattle trade him
Is the second syllable of Russell Wilson’s given name what the Seattle Seahawks are about to do with their starting quarterback? Might the Seahawks actually be trading Russell Wilson this NFL offseason?
Those who are in the business of setting betting lines are beginning to lean toward that direction. The latest odds on a prop regarding Wilson’s future in Seattle is listing that he will be dealt as the -130 odds-on favorite.
Odds Seattle Seahawks Trade Russell Wilson
Yes Odds | No Odds |
---|---|
-130 | +100 |
Odds as of Mar. 12th.
Bettors can access odds of +100 that he’ll stay in Seattle and play the 2021 NFL season with the Seahawks.
The Latest News
How quickly things are changing in what was an ongoing love affair between Wilson and Seattle. This is a fellow, after all, who ends every live interview he does by bellowing the words “Go Hawks.” Suddenly, it’s the Seahawks who might be telling Wilson to go.
According to published reports, the acrimony between Wilson and the Seattle brass is a similar situation to what’s been unfolding in Houston between the Texans and QB Deshaun Watson. Much like Watson, Wilson has addressed his concerns about the direction of the team with upper management.
"Oh no, Patrick Mahomes' line is falling apart…"
Russell Wilson: pic.twitter.com/wWiEg3sLXO
— Pick Six Podcast (@picksixpod) March 11, 2021
For example, Wilson is reportedly disheartened by Seattle’s decision to part ways with offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. He’s also unhappy with the quality of the offensive line that has the assignment to protect him. Since he broke into the NFL in 2012, Wilson’s been sacked 394 times, more than any QB in the league over that span.
Wilson is said to believe that the offensive schemes devised by the team and the personnel hired to work with him are holding him back from reaching his true potential as an NFL passer.
Trading Russell Wilson Where?
Earlier this week, the Seahawks sent out a promotional letter about the team’s future to season ticket holders. It boasted of the club’s record-setting offensive numbers.
What the marketing missive failed to mention was the fellow who was at the helm of that productive campaign. Wilson’s name was not included.
Could that mean that Wilson really might be on the move, that the Seahawks are already planning for life without Russell? ESPN’s Adam Schefter, one of the most plugged in of the NFL insiders, is of that belief. Schefter is reporting that there’s a very real chance of a Wilson trade happening.
Would Russell Wilson make Chicago instant Super Bowl contenders? pic.twitter.com/1wm1kYZIH7
— PFF (@PFF) March 11, 2021
His ESPN counterpart Diana Russini notes that while the Seahawks are listening to offers from other teams, the club isn’t actively shopping Wilson. Apparently, the team doing the most talking to Seattle is the Chicago Bears. There are reports that the Bears would be willing to move mountains in order to land Wilson.
Wilson’s agent Mark Rodgers tweeted that the Bears are among the teams where Wilson would welcome a trade. He also put the Dallas Cowboys, Las Vegas Raiders, and New Orleans Saints on that list. Previous speculation was listing Wilson remaining in Seattle as the -550 favorite. The Raiders were the +700 second betting choice.
However, it must also be pointed out that Rodgers indicated that Wilson hasn’t formally requested a trade.
Salary Cap an Issue
A lower NFL salary cap in 2021 is going to inhibit teams from dealing for Wilson. Were Seattle to move him prior to June 1, the team would eat a dead cap hit of $39 million. It goes down after that and even more so following the 2021 season.
.@AdamSchefter when asked about the Russell Wilson to Chicago speculation:
"The Bears are THE most desperate team to go land a quarterback." pic.twitter.com/PuZBD3DmWL
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) March 8, 2021
According to SportRac.com, these are the cap hits for Wilson over the next three seasons: $32 million in 2021, $37 million in 2022, and $40 million in 2023.
And the Verdict Is?
Wilson is going to be traded, but it will be later rather than sooner. The cap hit will scare off too many teams, and Seattle doesn’t have a legitimate Plan B option under center if Wilson is moving elsewhere.
I don’t know who needs to hear this but God wanted me to tell you that Russell Wilson has won more games in his first 9 seasons than ANY QB in NFL history.
— Terry Hollimon (@terryhollimon) March 10, 2021
Expect that he’ll be remaining in Seattle for the 2021 season. Should the rift prove too far gone to heal, look for a Wilson trade following next season, when his cap hit won’t be nearly as cumbersome.
Pick: No (+100)