Odds on Russell Wilson’s Team for Week 1 of 2021 NFL Season – Seahawks Heavily Favored

• Russell Wilson is complaining he’s been hit too much over his career in Seattle
• Based on what Lions got for Matthew Stafford, the price for Wilson would be high
• We examine why the Seahawks and Raiders, among others, could be in play for Wilson’s services

Russell Wilson has complained that he’s been sacked almost 400 times over his career and has expressed a desire to be more involved in the Seahawks’ personnel decisions. But he allowed for that fact that he might be part of the blame too.

Where does that leave Russell Wilson for Week 1 of the 2021 NFL season? The shortest odds (-550) have him staying put in Seattle. But the Las Vegas Raiders (+700) have emerged as the next best landing spot.

Where Russell Wilson will play Week 1 of the 2021 NFL season

Odds as of Feb. 9

There seems to be a trade possibility with Jacksonville. Although the Jaguars have +1300 odds to get Wilson, right after Vegas, it’s believed that Jacksonville may become the home for disgruntled Houston QB Deshaun Watson, according to the latest odds.

Two years ago, Wilson signed a four-year, $140 million extension that included $107 million in total guarantees and an average annual salary of $35 million. At the time, his $65 million signing bonus was the biggest in NFL history.

I’m hearing Russell Wilson’s camp has grown increasingly frustrated by the Seahawks inability to protect the 8 time Pro Bowler. He has been sacked 394 times in 9 seasons. This situation warrants serious monitoring.

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) February 9, 2021

In 2021, Wilson has a cap hit of $32 million with a dead cap this year of $39 million. Wilson is not eligible to become an unrestricted free agent until 2024. He also has a full no-trade clause.

The Seattle QB, who has started in two Super Bowls and won one, was sacked the third most of any qualifying quarterback in the NFL this season, going down 47 times for a total loss of 301 yards.

In the playoffs against the Los Angeles Rams, Wilson completed just 11 of 27 passes for 174 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in a 30-20 wild-card loss. Wilson was sacked five times.

Wilson made it clear he wants certain assurances going forward. Quarterbacks have been more vocal of late in calling for some control over personnel decisions — in much the same way that Tom Brady became involved in the running of the Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers this past season.

Seahawks Have Tried to Improve

The Seahawks have tried to improve up front. In 2017, they swung a deal to acquire veteran tackle Duane Brown, replacing starter George Fant, who was lost to season-ending ACL injury in August of that season.

Brown remains with the team, but he’s 35 and in the final year of his contract, and it doesn’t appear that he will be retained in Seattle. But the Seahawks have to find ways to improve on the offensive line without a first-round pick, which they shipped to the New York Jets for safety Jamal Adams last summer.

Free agency opens in March, and it will be interesting to see what Seattle does and whether Wilson is involved in the process of adding to the offensive line.

If Seattle wants to trade Wilson, they have to consider what the Detroit Lions got for Matthew Stafford or what the Eagles are looking for in trading Wentz. According to the latest odds, the Bears are the current favorites to be Wentz’ next team if he is traded.

To acquire Stafford, the Rams sent QB Jared Goff to Detroit along with two first-round picks and a third-round pick.

From NFL Now: Making sense of the Russell Wilson comments about wanting more say… and those trade calls to the #Seahawks. pic.twitter.com/PS2VaH3vnF

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 9, 2021

Since the Stafford-Goff deal went down, the climate seems ripe for a QB trading frenzy.  Already, rumors have swirled around Aaron Rodgers, Deshaun Watson, Sam Darnold, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Wentz.

Wilson is the type of player who would be in demand, not only for his running ability (similar to Patrick Mahomes), but also for his character since he was named winner of the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award this season.

But what would it take to pry Wilson away? Maybe four No. 1 draft choices?

The top betting choice (-550) is that the Seahawks retain the services of Wilson. But should the Seahawks see a chance to acquire a boatload of draft picks, the Las Vegas Raiders have emerged as the next shortest bet (+700) followed by the Jaguars (+1300) and the Dallas Cowboys (+1400).

Vegas Could be Interesting Choice

Las Vegas could be an interesting landing spot since it’s close to Wilson’s home in California, the stadium is climate-controlled, there is good offensive talent there and coach Jon Gruden has a Super Bowl ring.

An eight-time Pro Bowl QB, the 32-year-old Wilson has spent his whole career with Seattle, but even Wilson admitted he thinks the Seahawks have been getting calls about acquiring his services. Reports have also surfaced claiming that the Raiders, Saints and Dolphins have already expressed interest.