Tuesday’s blockbuster trade of Seahawks star quarterback Russell Wilson and a fourth-round pick to the Broncos for quarterback Drew Locke, tight end Noah Fant and defensive lineman Shelby Harris, plus two first-round, two second-round and one fifth-round pick opened Richard Sherman’s eyes to a huge possibility.
The former Seahawks All-Pro believes his former team has put itself into position to trade for Houston Texans signal caller Deshaun Watson. On the “Richard Sherman Podcast,” the loquacious Sherman talked about that, and he believes Locke is a stopgap, not a long-term solution at the game’s most important position.
Blockbuster: After weeks of negotiations, in one of the largest trades in NFL history, the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos have agreed to terms for a deal involving Super-Bowl winning QB Russell Wilson, sources tell ESPN.
Trade is pending a physical and Wilson’s approval. pic.twitter.com/oRFDV8Ehyx
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 8, 2022
“Those trade pieces they received make me more curious than anything because I don’t think … everybody’s like, Oh, are they gonna, are they gonna put Geno out there or are they gonna put Drew Lock out there?’ No, they’re not. They’re not. They’re not nervous.”
Those five picks the Hawks received in return for Russell Wilson are invaluable. And they could be used to land Watson should his legal troubles be cleared. A hearing on that sensitive matter is scheduled for Friday.
Richard Sherman on #Seahawks – #Broncos trade involving Russell Wilson:
"… They’re (Seahawks) setting themselves up to be in the sweepstakes for Deshaun Watson …"
(Credit: @PFF )@RSherman_25 pic.twitter.com/YbgE48nqzu
— Emerald City Sporting News (@ECSN206) March 9, 2022
Seahawks Trading Of Wilson Saves Team ($11 Million) In Cap Space
By trading Wilson, the Seahawks saved $11M in cap space. That, combined with the picks they received, puts them in a solid position to make a real run at Watson. Sherman, a leader in Seattle’s vaunted “Legion of Boom” defense that went to back-to-back Super Bowls in Wilson’s second and third seasons, believes that’s exactly the plan. Sherman believes the Seahawks have nothing to lose by going all-in on the talented Watson, who’s in his prime at 26 years old.
It’s hard to think that the Seahawks could upgrade from the greatest QB in franchise history, but Watson would be just that.
“They’re setting themselves up to be in the sweepstakes for Deshaun Watson. I think that these pieces that they’re going to need to work with the Houston Texans to get Deshaun Watson. I think that Pete will assume the best and think that Deshauns’s legal issues will get resolved in the near future before the draft.”
Embroiled in legal issues, Deshaun Watson's future remains up in the air.
But if he isn't charged, the #Seahawks have interest in pursuing a trade for the three-time Pro Bowler and think they have the roster to persuade him to waive his no-trade clause.https://t.co/OMvul0KFVF
— Corbin K. Smith (@CorbinSmithNFL) March 9, 2022
Seattle Also Released The Quarterback Of The Defense: Another Sign They’re Going After Watson?
On Wednesday, the Seahawks told stalwart All-Pro middle linebacker Bobby Wagner that they’re releasing him. The move will save the team $16.6 million in cap space, bringing the total amount they have unloaded to $27.6 million in new and available cap room.
It’s something they’ll need plenty of to acquire Watson and his $39 million per year price tag. Wilson and Wagner were drafted together in 2012 and they leave the Pacific Northwest just one day apart. Two undervalued stalwarts drafted in the late second and third rounds of the 2012 NFL draft, who became cornerstone All-Pro pieces for the Seahawks for 10 seasons.
Seahawks informed eight-time All-Pro and Pro-Bowl LB Bobby Wagner, a franchise icon, that they are releasing him, per source.
Wagner arrived in Seattle on the same 2012 day as Russell Wilson and now leaves the same day, too. End of an era in Seattle.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2022
Seahawks Have Ninth Pick In Upcoming Draft
Seattle holds the ninth pick in the draft, giving them some leverage if they don’t land Watson or another QB via the trade market. There are some nice pieces in Seattle to work with in wide receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, running back Chris Carson and newly acquired tight end Noah Fant.
https://twitter.com/coachfoxy21/status/1480358400131174400?s=21
Much more weaponry than Watson ever had in Houston, and he made that offense sizzle. Say what you want about Deshaun Watson, but whatever team is able to sign him automatically becomes an instant division contender.
He’s that dynamic, but some people seemed to have forgotten that. Out of sight, out of mind. With all due respect to Wilson, if the Seahawks were able to acquire Watson, Seattle fans would be able to live with Russ’ departure, for sure.
