The Chicago Bears were never going to admit it publicly. For one they can’t and for another doing so hurts their leverage. Don’t be fooled though. When it comes to this Russell Wilson situation? They are most definitely interested and will stay on top of it until either the Seattle Seahawks work things out with their star quarterback or they open the door to a potential trade.
What fans need to know is just how serious is it? Rumors can get a little out of control this time of year. Has the media blown this thing out of proportion? No, it doesn’t seem that way. Mike Silver of NFL.com, who has a lot of connections across the entire west coast, had some interesting words on the Wilson situation. Initially, he didn’t think it was as bad as people thought. Then upon digging into matters further? He found out he was right.
It’s actually worse.
If the @Seahawks weren't fielding offers for Russell Wilson at this point, they'd be committing malpractice. Their QB is clearly unhappy. @nflnetwork @AndrewSiciliano pic.twitter.com/HYnq7ySTmn
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) March 3, 2021
The divide between the two sides didn’t just pop up overnight. It has been steadily building for the past couple of years. Wilson is frustrated over the Seahawks’ lack of investment in the offensive line and their unwillingness to refocus the scheme around him. At 32-years old, he knows he’s on the second half of his career. If he is going to place himself among the all-time greats, then he needs Seattle to get serious about maximizing his window.
Subscribe to the BFR podcast and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
It appears what they’ve done hasn’t satisfied him. So much that he actually provided a list of teams he’d willingly waive his no-trade clause for. The Bears being among them. That in itself is why fans are excited. Yet the good news doesn’t end there.
Russell Wilson competitors may not be as eager to get him
Three other teams were mentioned on that list that he’d like to play for. Anything can happen in the NFL but by the sound of things? Chicago may not have as much competition as some think if Wilson becomes available. First is the Las Vegas Raiders. Though mentioned by the Pro Bowl quarterback’s camp as a preferred landing spot, it doesn’t appear the feelings are mutual. Vegas GM Mike Mayock made it pretty clear the team is more than content keeping Derek Carr.
"I think Derek Carr had his best year yet, under Jon Gruden. I think he's one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL and we're happy with him…I think Jon Gruden and I would stand shoulder to shoulder and pound the table for Derek Carr." – #Raiders GM Mike Mayock, on Derek Carr.
— Paul Gutierrez (@PGutierrezESPN) March 3, 2021
This shouldn’t be a huge surprise. Carr is two years younger than Wilson, cheaper in terms of money, and the Raiders would be able to keep all the draft picks they’d give up in any trade. Picks they can use to fix the bigger problem with their team, which is the defense.
Then there is the Dallas Cowboys. Jerry Jones loves star quarterbacks. So Russell Wilson obviously qualifies. Yet all signs point to them working hard to secure Dak Prescott to a long-term deal. Recent updates suggest progress is being made on that front.
Report: Talks between Cowboys, Dak Prescott's agent are "progressing." https://t.co/8kAQd9uHhi
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) March 3, 2021
So if they’re out, that just leaves the New Orleans Saints.
It looks like Drew Brees is set to retire, so they’d have interest in Wilson. Their mayor even did a recruiting pitch last week. That sounds nice, but there’s one problem. New Orleans has no money. Despite a myriad of roster moves already, the team is still $64 million over the salary cap. The amount of work they still have to do just to get back in the black is massive. Nevermind finding the room to fit Wilson’s $32 million cap hit on the books.
It isn’t impossible, but it doesn’t seem likely. Looking at where everything stands, it’s hard not to see the Bears having a legitimate shot at Wilson. This presuming the Seahawks make him available and the quarterback doesn’t expand his list to include other teams.