The Washington Football Team should pursue Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson. Washington would have to acquire Wilson via a trade. Wilson is currently under contract with the Seahawks through the 2023 season. He also has a no-trade clause in his contract, which he would have to waive for a trade to occur.
While the Seahawks have expressed no interest in trading Wilson, exploring trade options makes sense for them. The Seahawks will save $11 million this season if they can trade Wilson before June 1st. The cap savings increase to $24 million if they trade Wilson after June 1st. The Seahawks finished 2021 with a 7-10 record, their worst since Wilson joined the team in 2012.
Last off-season, Wilson hinted at potential teams he would like to play for. Washington was not among the teams on Wilson’s list. However, Washington should look to convince Wilson to take his talents to the Nation’s Capital in 2022.
RUSSELL WILSON WITH THE 🌙 BALL TO TYLER LOCKETTpic.twitter.com/YxaHNZSfnF
— PFF (@PFF) December 12, 2021
The Washington Football Team Should Pursue Russell Wilson
Washington Has Weapons on Offense
The Washington offense features 1,000-yard wide receiver Terry McLaurin and 1,000-yard running back Antonio Gibson. Running back J.D. McKissic is a dual-threat out of the backfield as runner or receiver. Tight ends Jon Bates and Ricky Seals-Jones emerged as options in the passing game this season.
TERRY MCLAURIN ARE YOU SERIOUS 😱
(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/4aoJh5G6zr
— ESPN (@espn) September 12, 2021
Wide receivers Adam Humphries, Cam Sims, Dyami Brown, and DeAndre Carter were also productive in the Washington passing game. For most of the season, injuries sidelined wide receiver Curtis Samuel and tight end Logan Thomas. If both players are healthy in 2022, it will significantly enhance the Washington offense.
Washington Needs a Proven Veteran at Quarterback
Since quarterback Kirk Cousins departed Washington at the end of the 2017 season, there have been 13 different starting quarterbacks for Washington. Washington signed veteran quarterback Alex Smith in 2018 to replace Cousins. Smith went 6-4 before a career-threatening injury sidelined him for the remainder of the 2018 season and the entire 2019 season. In 2019, Washington drafted quarterback Dwayne Haskins with the 15th overall pick. Haskins started 13 games for Washington before being released near the end of the 2020 regular season. Haskins went 3-10 as a starter.
The Dwayne Haskins highlight reel is something special. #Steelers
— YinzerCrazy.com ⚫️🟡 (@yinzercrazyshow) January 21, 2021
The legend of Taylor Heinicke was born due to Haskins’ release and Smith’s injured calf. Heinicke started his first game for Washington in the 2020 Wild Card game. Washington signed veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick to a one-year deal in 2020, but a hip injury in Week 1 kept him sidelined for the remainder of the season. Heinicke was elevated to the starting role after Fitzpatrick’s injury. He started 15 games for Washington in 2020 and went 7-8.
Wilson Can Elevate Washington’s Offense
Wilson has shown throughout his career that he can play the quarterback position at a high level. Since entering the league in 2012, Wilson has passed for over 3,000 yards each season. His career completion percentage is 65 percent, and he has thrown 292 touchdowns to 87 interceptions.
Wilson is 103-54-1 as a starter in the regular season and 9-7 in the playoffs. He has been named to seven Pro Bowls and is a Super Bowl Champion. Wilson’s durability has also been an asset. He has only missed two games in his ten-year career. There is no question that a player with Wilson’s resume can elevate a Washington offense that has been without consistent play at the quarterback position for several years.
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