By Peyton Schultze

Could Russell Wilson’s time as a Seattle Seahawk soon come to a close? (via CBS Sports).

Could a future Hall of Fame quarterback suddenly be on the move?

That looks like it may just be the case for Seahawks’ quarterback Russell Wilson, who finds himself in a sudden predicament with trade rumors flying all over the place. Wilson has made it clear that he is not asking for a trade, but after his agent revealed that his client would accept trades to the Bears, Raiders, Cowboys, and Saints, it looks like things could get sticky very soon.

The saga started off when Wilson stated on the Dan Patrick Show that he wanted some more input on organizational decisions in Seattle, which has then led to several stories revealing that Wilson is tired of getting hit in the pocket, needs some protection in the backfield, and would like more of a general say in personnel choices. This points to some friction between Wilson and head coach Pete Carroll, and if the Seahawks are not very careful between the two sides over the next few weeks, there is potential for a sudden trade that could shift the entire landscape of play in the league.

With that said, we have compiled a list of eleven teams that may have real interest in trading for the Pro Bowl quarterback. It is anyone’s guess where Wilson will end up by the spring, but let’s dive in and scan some destinations around the league that could trade for the most recent Walter Payton Man of the Year award winner:

Chicago Bears

Would Wilson join the Bears and instantly insert Chicago into the Super Bowl mix in the NFC? (via Yardbarker).

Certainly the most shocking of the names that Wilson had on his list of teams he would not mind playing for, head coach Matt Nagy and the Chicago Bears could find themselves in a sudden Super Bowl window if they were to add Russell Wilson. The Bears have some flaws on offense, but they still have some big time playmakers on that side of the ball, as well as deep talent on defense, to make them a serious NFC contender for years to come in a potential trade.

The major problem with this trade is what the Bears actually have to offer. Chicago can try to add a plethora of future picks to the deal, or add some current talent on either side of the ball to a trade, but it seems unlikely that Seattle would want to do this trade in comparison to others just so they could acquire quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. The Bears’ starter was fine last season despite limited playing time, but he is not the type of player that jumps off the page in a trade for a true star like Wilson. If the Bears want to pull off the trade, the Seahawks may be asking for a big player on defense like Akiem Hicks or Eddie Jackson in addition to future picks, and the asking price may be a little higher for the Bears than other teams in the mix due to their current available surroundings on offense in a deal.

Chicago has a tough road ahead in a push to get Wilson, but you would have to imagine they must have a pretty fair chance of landing him if they were mentioned as one of the quarterback’s preferred teams. Wilson would instantly become a local star in Chicago, and the Bears’ front office would be smart to push forward as hard as they can in a potential trade.

Las Vegas Raiders

Would Wilson really head to Las Vegas and turn the Raiders into a real threat in the AFC? (via AP News).

Would head coach Jon Gruden dare to make a play for the Seahawks’ star to get his squad in a position to compete with Justin Herbert and Patrick Mahomes for the next decade? It certainly would be a clash of images between the brash Raiders and the polished Wilson, but this is a scenario that is not all that far-fetched amid the uber competitive AFC West.

The Raiders also have a very unique piece that many other trade destinations on this list do not: quarterback Derek Carr. The current Raiders’ starter is not the perfect player by any means, but there is no doubt that he is a competent starter that many teams would love having. In a potential trade for Wilson, especially in comparison to every other team other than Dallas, the Seahawks would probably prefer to trade with the Raiders due to Pete Carroll’s role in the organization. In his final years up in Seattle, Carroll will want to stay competitive in the NFC by acquiring a similar player with the status of Carr and also moving Wilson to the opposite conference, which makes Las Vegas a real threat in the potential Wilson sweepstakes.

This is a terrifying proposition for fans of the Broncos, Chargers, and Chiefs, as this trade could definitely happen and shift the course of the division in a matter of seconds. Vegas has a great chance at putting together a big package for the Seattle superstar, and don’t be shocked if there are rumors abound with Wilson possibly heading toward the Sin City.

Dallas Cowboys

Wilson’s presence in Dallas would bring a jolt of energy to an organization looking to make a run to the Super Bowl (via Field Gulls).

While Wilson figures to probably stay in Seattle after all of this sudden noise, the Dallas Cowboys have a ton to offer in a trade for the future Hall of Fame quarterback and could make things very interesting. With head coach Mike McCarthy displaying a high-flying offense in Year 1 with the Cowboys, Wilson would be a dream fit for Cowboys fans who are looking to pair him with a loaded receiving group with studs like Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb.

With Dak Prescott remaining unsigned by the Cowboys for the long-term, the recent trade rumors surrounding Wilson have suddenly forced the Cowboys front office to take a complete turn at the quarterback position. Prescott remains likely to re-sign with Dallas, but he no longer possesses some of the prior leverage he may have had in the past with the team due to his high contract demands and Wilson’s affordable deal on the books. With that, if Dallas wants to go after Wilson, the possibility of a potential sign-and-trade route could be a great deal for both sides that gives power to each organization. Dallas would need to give the Seahawks more than just Prescott to make the deal worthwhile, but it is not a stretch to say this deal is the most likely of the bunch due to the Cowboys’ on-field talent that they possess in a potential move.

Dallas is a few moves away from being a real contender, but the acquisition of Wilson would be sure to give a massive spark throughout the organization for years to come. The NFC East is weak and certainly the worst in all of football, and Dallas would be the yearly favorites for the next decade if they were to acquire the talents of Wilson.

New Orleans Saints

A trade for Wilson would allow the Saints to keep their championship window alive even after losing Drew Brees to retirement (via The Athletic).

Could New Orleans really move from one Hall of Fame quarterback to another Hall of Fame quarterback in just one offseason? The chances of this trade may seem a little difficult due to the Saints’ cap restrictions and their late spots in this year’s draft, but the possible pairing of Sean Payton and Russell Wilson could mean several Super Bowl appearances in the next few years down by the bayou.

New Orleans has a ton of options at the quarterback position following the likely retirement of Drew Brees, but it is hard to say that they thought they had any sort of chance at Russell Wilson just a week ago. The Saints could easily re-sign Jameis Winston or roll with Taysom Hill as their starter for next season, but a potential trade for Wilson immediately vaults them to the top of the conference with an already-solid defense and a great cast of supporting characters on offense. Now that Wilson has made it clear that he would not mind playing for them, the Saints should try to find a way to do whatever it takes to acquire the elusive superstar signal caller. It will surely be difficult for the Saints to pull it off with all of the restrictions and obstacles surrounding them, but the trio of Wilson-Thomas-Kamara would surely become one of the most dynamic groups on offense in recent NFL history.

It is hard to say this is likely at all, especially since it is hard to imagine Seattle trading Wilson to another NFC contender that could dominate for years to come, but the Saints have had plenty of luck in acquiring quarterbacks in the past. Replacing Brees with Wilson would be one of the best transitions of all-time, and it will be interesting to see how NOLA handles the pending situation at hand.

Denver Broncos

Denver desperately needs a quarterback to compete, and a trade for Wilson would instantly make them a playoff team in the AFC (via CBS Sports).

Few teams have been as plagued by quarterback issues in recent years as the Denver Broncos, which means that they have to do whatever it takes to improve the position as soon as possible. There is no better way to correct this problem than to acquire the talents of a quarterback who once won a Super Bowl against the team, and the idea of Wilson becoming the next in line of some great Bronco quarterback legends has to be an intriguing prospect in the Mile High City.

Denver actually could find themselves with a fairly decent chance at Wilson due to their draft position and status in the AFC in recent years. Since winning Super Bowl 50, Denver has failed to make the playoffs and appears to be stuck at the bottom of the AFC West until they can improve at quarterback. This has to seriously attract Seattle in a potential move to trade Wilson, as the Broncos’ first-round picks could become very valuable to the team down the line if they continue to miss out on the playoffs. In addition, the Seahawks could opt to ask for young gunslinger Drew Lock or at least one young player on the roster such as Bradley Chubb or Jerry Juedy to immediately improve their roster, which could make the Seahawks interested in a quicker rebuild in potential deal that would send Wilson to the Broncos.

Wilson is a pretty solid fit in Denver with so many young pieces on the roster and a very nice offensive line, but the quarterback would need to add the team to his list of teams he would be willing to play for if this deal were to happen. This is a team that could pull this off if Wilson allows it to happen, but it remains to be seen if the Pro Bowl quarterback is willing to suit up in Denver for the future.

New England Patriots

A potential trade for Wilson would slot New England right back to the top of the list for Super Bowl contenders in the AFC (via Everett Herald).

New England beat Seattle on that ever-so-infamous goal-line interception on the one-yard line by Malcolm Butler in Super Bowl XLIX, so would the Seahawks even consider moving Wilson to a distant rival? There is a very good chance that they would not even consider it, but the Patriots should be as interested as ever in acquiring Wilson with a massive hole at the quarterback position.

It seems more and more likely that Cam Newton may show up as the Patriots’ starter at quarterback in the 2021 season, which may be a concerning thought for New England fans. Nevertheless, the Patriots' have a plethora of picks at their disposal that could lead them toward making a trade for some kind of quarterback. Although Wilson has not really played in a system like the Patriots have, there is no doubt that they would do anything to have him under center for the next decade in the Northeast. Wilson is the ultimate pro on the field and in the locker room, typical of a longtime Patriots’ leader known by the name of Tom Brady, and the Patriots would be wise to throw all that they can at Seattle in order to get their attention and make a deal happen.

Although Wilson heading to New England would make the Patriots instant contenders, a trade between the two looks very unlikely due to a weak supporting cast and an aging defense. Wilson may seem like a player who would be an ideal Patriot under Belichick, but is the organization really on track to get his attention and add a player of his caliber with what they have on offense right now? It does not seem likely at all, as Wilson would be taking a step backward from Seattle if he were to head to New England this offseason.

Carolina Panthers

The Panthers’ offense would take a major leap forward with the future Hall of Fame talents of Russell Wilson (via The Seattle Times).

The Carolina Panthers remain the ultimate wild card in the 2021 NFL offseason with their potential to emerge as a playoff team next season if they can add some pieces in key spots. The Panthers have been interested in Deshaun Watson for months, so will they go all-in for Russell Wilson as well?

Like the rumor has been regarding Watson, the package for Wilson would probably start with at least three first-round picks. However, as was the rumor with a potential deal for Watson, the Panthers would likely be forced to split ways with running back Christian McCaffrey if they wanted to acquire the talents of Wilson. Carolina has some real playmakers on offense already that helped them put together a decent season a year ago, but they are truly a different team with McCaffrey in the lineup. Missing him would be a big loss for the Panthers, and it will be interesting to see if they take an alternative route toward acquiring Wilson if they decide to pursue his services.

The Panthers seem like a better destination for Watson than Wilson, but they should be just as interested in making a deal for the Seahawks’ starter if available. With head coach Matt Rhule proving to be a capable offensive coach with a mind for creativity and misdirection, the Panthers would take an immediate leap into the playoff conversation in the NFC if they were able to land Wilson.

Miami Dolphins

If Wilson were to head to Seattle, the Dolphins could easily challenge the Chiefs for the top spot in the AFC (via NESN).

Do the Dolphins really believe in Tua Tagovailoa? That is the question we are about to find out an answer to over the next couple of weeks, especially as an already-wild quarterback market adds names like Russell Wilson to the mix. Miami makes plenty of sense in a trade for Wilson, but would he be interested in playing for a team in a division that will have to compete with the Bills for years to come?

Miami really has a lot to give Wilson in a potential deal: a profitable market to boost his star image, a terrific young head coach, an elite defense, and some key playmakers on the outside. What Miami does not have, however, is an offensive line that may be capable of capturing Wilson’s interest, which could be a major obstacle in a trade for the quarterback. The Seahawks would likely be interested in making this deal with the Dolphins amongst many teams interested if they were really ready to move on from Wilson, as they would likely be able to acquire a young quarterback in Tagovailoa and some serious assets in the draft to build for the future. Yet Wilson’s hesitancy could be the key; many thought that Miami could be on Wilson’s list of teams, and their absence could be a concerning sign moving forward.

The offensive fit is a little strange between the two, but there is no reason why Miami should not go all-out for Wilson this offseason. The Dolphins have the making of being a contender sooner rather than later, and a trade for Wilson may not only get the Dolphins to the top of the AFC East, but right alongside the Chiefs in the fight for AFC supremacy.

Washington Football Team

After a surprise playoff appearance last season, Wilson could make Washington an instant contenders in the NFC (via USA Today).

The Washington Football Team looks like they are a quarterback away from being a solid team in the NFC, but acquiring Russell Wilson could really get them far next season in a wide-open NFC East. Pairing Wilson with head coach Ron Rivera could make for a great quarterback-head coach duo, and the organization has some pieces they can throw toward Seattle in a potential deal.

While Washington has emerging units on both sides of the ball, they lack the prospect of giving Seattle a quarterback in a potential deal for Wilson. If Wilson was uninterested in playing for the team already, and the Seahawks are uninterested in any quarterback from Washington that could keep them in win-now mode, there does not seem like much hope in a potential deal. Washington does have some nice picks and some elite defensive talent that could give Seattle some consideration, but it seems like they are a few pieces too short from seriously capturing either side’s attention.

Front office concerns also remain as clear as ever in Washington, and although Rivera did a nice job in his first year in turning that around in the public eye, it looks like a lingering issue that would not be exciting to jump into. Wilson and the Seahawks will not be very interested in this move unless the team makes some huge free agency signings, and it would be a true shock to ever see the veteran quarterback suit up for the Washington Football Team.

New York Giants

Wilson and the Giants could be a very interesting fit in New York if the Giants and Seahawks were to make a deal (via NBC Sports).

There were rumors last offseason that Wilson had some real interest in being a future member of the New York Giants, which made it a real surprise to see them not on his list of preferred teams according to ESPN reporter Adam Schefter. Nevertheless, New York seems like a team that is only a few pieces away from being a playoff team in the NFC East, which could be a serious attraction for the future Hall of Fame quarterback.

Quarterback Daniel Jones is a fine player, but when a player who meets the status of Russell Wilson is available in a trade, it is hard to pass up on him for a signal caller who has not proven much in his short NFL career. If Wilson is interested in being a Giant, as was reported a year ago, the team would likely have to offer up a plethora of picks, as well as some type of current talent. It would not be a surprise for the Seahawks to ask for running back Saquon Barkley back in return in some fashion, but the choice for the Giants could get very tough if they are forced to trade off their former #2 overall pick.

New York has some key pieces in place that could really spark Wilson’s interests under head coach Joe Judge, but the next few weeks will show just how far they are willing to go to address the future of the quarterback position. If the Giants can improve on the offensive line and add a playmaker or two on the outside on offense, the Giants could easily be a team that Wilson in interested in heading to for the next chapter of his career.

New York Jets

The Jets have a lot to offer in a potential trade for the Seahawks’ star, which could be a huge move for the future of the franchise (via 710 ESPN Seattle).

The Jets wanted, and still want, to push for Deshaun Watson; would they do the same for Russell Wilson? That may not end up mattering at the end of the day if Wilson doesn’t want to pay for the Jets, but the organization’s recent hiring of head coach Robert Saleh could at least give the team a chance at acquiring the seven-time Pro Bowler.

The Jets do offer more resources than any team that could end up offering up a trade for Wilson. With the #2 overall selection and plenty of cap space available in this year’s free agency pool, there is no doubt that New York could find a way to intrigue the Seahawks in a trade and also attract Wilson’s attention through some key moves. The Jets are not talented enough right now to even garner Wilson’s attention, but there is a lot of time left between now and the 2021 NFL Draft. If this process drags on a little bit and the Jets end up signing some key players to add to their roster while holding tight at #2, do not be surprised if Wilson and his agent at least consider Gang Green.

The Jets also may run into some problems if the Seahawks are uninterested in acquiring Sam Darnold, which could be a massive obstacle in this race. New York has very little room for error if they want a chance at the quarterback, and they will need a lot of things to break in their favor over the next few weeks if their fanbase ever wants to see Wilson in green.

Rankings in Terms of Probability

Seattle Seahawks
Dallas Cowboys
Las Vegas Raiders
Chicago Bears
Miami Dolphins
New York Jets
New Orleans Saints
Carolina Panthers
New York Giants
Denver Broncos
New England Patriots
Washington Football Team

Rankings in Terms of Fit

Dallas Cowboys
New Orleans Saints
Carolina Panthers
Denver Broncos
Chicago Bears
Miami Dolphins
Seattle Seahawks
New York Giants
New England Patriots
Washington Football Team
Las Vegas Raiders
New York Jets

The Most Dange-Russ Game