Russell Wilson to the Bears?
Bears fans can dare to dream after ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Wilson, who expressed unhappiness with his protection earlier this month after getting sacked 52 times this season including the playoffs, wants to stay in Seattle but would accept a trade to only four teams: the Cowboys, Saints, Raiders ... and the Bears.
Seahawks’ QB Russell Wilson has not demanded a trade, his agent Mark Rodgers told ESPN. Wilson has told the Seahawks he wants to play in Seattle but, if a trade were considered, the only teams he would go to are the Cowboys, Saints, Raiders, Bears.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 25, 2021
Wilson, 32, made the Pro Bowl for the seventh time in his nine seasons — and fourth consecutive season — in 2020. But after being a leading MVP candidate through five games (19 touchdowns, three interceptions, 129.7 rating), he cooled off considerably in the final 11 games (21 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 94.3 rating).
And he was overwhelmed in the playoffs against the Rams, completing 11-of-27 passes for 174 yards, two touchdowns and an interception — and getting sacked five times — in a 30-20 loss. The Seahawks were 28th in the NFL in sacks allowed per pass play.
Wilson has been sacked 394 times in 144 regular-season games in his career, but has been under more pressure in recent seasons. He’s been sacked 146 times in the regular season in the last three years — 51 in 2018, 48 in 2019 and 47 last season.
It almost defies logic why the Seahawks would trade Russell Wilson still in his prime when he is not demanding a trade. But stranger things have happened in the NFL.
The Bears were 15th in the NFL in sacks allowed per pass play in 2020. And their need at quarterback is obvious. But even if the Seahawks were entertaining offers for Wilson, other quarterback needy teams have more to offer — as is the case with Deshaun Watson.
Though the Bears are one of the four teams Wilson would waive his no-trade clause to go to, they have the seventh-best odds to land him (15-1, tied with the Broncos, Panthers and Patriots), according to SportsBetting.com. The leaders are the Raiders (4-1), Dolphins (7-1), Washington Football Team (8-1), Cowboys (10-1), Saints (12-1) and Jets (12-1).
