Football fans couldn’t help but watch last Monday Night Football’s offense-challenged game between the New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks last week and imagine Russell Wilson with Sean Payton’s creativity dropping dimes in the Bayou next season.
It’s clear that Payton doesn’t trust current quarterback Jameis Winston to do too much more than manage the offense and strike on a huge play every once in a while. Wilson, an established Hall of Fame quarterback with the ability to produce big and protect the ball, would be a perfect fit in New Orleans if rumors of him wanting to exit Seattle are legit.
Could you imagine Russell Wilson with Sean Payton or Jon Gruden? Some interesting possibilities out there should the Seahawks get a boffo offer. And i would certainly expect them to
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) February 7, 2021
With the Seahawks’ championship window now closed, and the Saints still looking for the next franchise quarterback to replace future Hall of Famer Drew Brees, this move actually works seamlessly. The Saints currently have Winston as their starter, and he hasn’t looked bad, but there’s a reason he was signed to a one-year, $12M prove-it contract.
Sean Payton isn’t exactly sold on Winston as the long-term solution. Payton did all he could to give the job to Taysom Hill, even with the backup quarterback’s limited abilities as an every-down signal caller.
Wilson Almost Left In The Offseason
In the offseason a reported rift between Russell Wilson and head coach Pete Carroll about the team’s offensive philosophy came to a head. Wilson, who’s been hit a ton, was reportedly tired of the inconsistent nature of the offense — from the different coordinators, to average weaponry at his disposal, to a bad offensive line. Wilson also wanted more say in personnel decisions.
Wilson reportedly wanted to remain in the Pacific Northwest but would’ve accepted a trade to either the Saints, Cowboys, Bears or Raiders, according to various reports. These teams seem to have their QBs of the future in Dak Prescott, Justin Fields and Derek Carr.
Russell Wilson’s frustration has led his camp to broach trade destinations with the Seahawks, sources tell The Athletic.
Teams include:
￭ Dolphins
￭ Jets
￭ Saints
￭ Raiders pic.twitter.com/OeTpu2KWYv— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) February 25, 2021
Prescott’s made an MVP return from injury, and Carr is playing the best football of his career since the resignation of the email bandit Jon Gruden. Fields is a rookie and needs a new coaching staff and GM in Chicago, and it’s highly plausible he receives it at season’s end.
Saints Are A QB Away
Nawlins still has uncertainty for the future at the game’s most important position. With guru Payton calling plays and one of the best offensive lines in the league, Wilson would flourish down near the French Quarter. Imagine Wilson and Alvin Kamara wreaking havoc on defenses weekly.
The Saints are an elite QB away from being real NFC contenders, with a stout defense and an offense with some real firepower when healthy. The team also just brought back running back Mark Ingram who’s just 87 yards from becoming the franchise’s all-time leading rusher.
Hawks Offensive Line Woes
Speaking of offensive lines, the Seahawks’ failing protection is a huge reason Wilson is missing the first games of his career after starting 149 consecutive games. Wilson threw 10 touchdowns and just one interception this season prior to getting injured when his hand hit a charging Aaron Donald’s helmet. The team was a respectable (2-2) despite a ton of flaws.
Wilson Deserves Better
The Seahawks have lost three straight games since Wilson’s injury and are fading out of the NFC race. They will probably be thinking tank and rebuild soon. A rebuild that should be devoid of Russell Wilson, who deserves a shot at another Super Bowl ring, something he won’t receive by staying in the Pacific Northwest.
His injury absence has actually helped Seahawks fans face the grim possibility of life without RW.
When the Seahawks trade Russell Wilson, they need to trade DK Metcalf the same day. They’ll get 4 first-round picks for those two players. That’s how a team rebuilds.
— Alex Clancy (@ClancysCorner) October 26, 2021
Seattle could probably get quite a haul. They’ll have to because once Russ is gone, an era of excellence will leave with him.
