Despite clear indications that Russell Wilson is poised to remain the starting quarterback in Seattle, some people won’t let the trade rumors die. The most curious of them all is Adam Schefter. He insists despite the trade not happening this month, it doesn’t mean it won’t happen eventually. He has it on pretty good authority it could still happen. What it comes down to is whether the Seahawks can get a line on a suitable replacement they’d be comfortable with. A position they are not yet in.
When it gets closer to the NFL draft? Things might change. If there is a rookie QB they like or if another veteran becomes available, they could consider a deal at that point. Yet plenty of people aren’t convinced the Chicago Bears will be involved. They just signed Andy Dalton. They can’t very well trade a guy they just added and promised a starting job, can they?
Actually, they can. It comes down to a question of timing.
Remember that Schefter’s ESPN colleague Dan Graziano mentioned that if Seattle does trade Wilson, it’s more likely to happen in June. Why? By that point the dead cap hit they’d take from such a move would drop from a record $39 million to just $13 million. Far more palatable. This deadline also applied to the Bears as well.
The structure of Dalton’s contract follows a similar timeline. If Chicago tried to trade him right now, they’d be slapped with an additional cap penalty of $2 million. However, if they were to wait until after June 1st they’d instead gain $3 million in space. Remember Schefter said Seattle liked Dalton back in 2011. He packaged with picks and perhaps a young QB the Seahawks covet could be the thing that gets a deal done.
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Russell Wilson and Seahawks didn’t magically mend fences
Silence on the two fronts remains ongoing. Wilson hasn’t declared his intention to stay. Seattle hasn’t publicly stated their intention to keep him. That combined with Schefter’s continued insistence that the door remains open for a trade is something that can’t be ignored. The tension between the two sides remains palpable. Are the Bears counting on a trade happening? No. However, they’ve at least kept themselves in a position to make a move.
They remain in contact with Seattle. Something that likely won’t change. They have their insurance in Dalton if it comes to nothing. Yet they can also pivot quickly to reassemble a trade package the Seahawks may take if the door opens in earnest next month or later in the summer. Remember this. The Seahawks have only three picks in the 2021 draft. Including no 1st rounder. A chance to restock may be too good to pass up.
All it takes is their top brass falling in love with a new QB.
If Russell Wilson doesn’t happen, the Bears aren’t completely screwed. Dalton is a decent game manager. A few more free agent moves and a solid draft would allow them to put a strong offensive cast around him. The defense is bringing back most of its star lineup as well with the exception of Kyle Fuller. Health permitting, this team is still good enough to be in the playoff picture come December.