Clayton: Where the Seahawks currently stand after Russell Wilson’s injury
Oct 11, 2021, 4:08 PM
Seahawks QB Russell Wilson scrambles with the ball against the Los Angeles Rams in the second half at Lumen Field. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
(Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
The Seahawks have a lot of thinking and planning to do at this start of Week 6.
Heaps: Smith can successfully lead the Hawks until Wilson returns
Waiting for Russell Wilson’s return is obviously atop the list. He had surgery on the middle finger of his right throwing hand. A couple of screws were inserted. This is an injury that could take four to six weeks or even six to eight, though some think Wilson could be back in less time than that.
I was going through an exercise that featured the value of quarterbacks in this quarterback-driven league. I was asked to put together MVP candidates. Would you believe ten of the top eleven were all quarterbacks? Derrick Henry ranked 11th as the only non-quarterback. I didn’t include Wilson for this list because he’s injured, but when he’s healthy he’s definitely high on the MVP list.
That’s why his loss is so huge to the Seahawks’ chances. Geno Smith can do a good job, but he’s not going to play at Wilson’s level. Plus, the Seahawks have to do something to fix their defense. No one is going to win when you give up 25-plus points and over 450 yards a game.
One of the interesting things about my MVP list is that the AFC had five quarterbacks and the NFC has five. Not in any order, but my five NFC quarterbacks include Kyler Murray, Tom Brady, Dak Prescott, Matthew Stafford and Aaron Rodgers. What do they all have in common? They are leading their divisions or have a winning record. Again, Wilson would be on the list, but for now he’s a scratch and missing several games would take away his chances of being on the final list.
Plus, you know the history. He’s had a Hall of Fame-type career, but he’s never won an MVP.
At 2-3 this year, this team is heading into a major challenge.
What the Seahawks have to think about is whether to bring in a veteran quarterback. That is needed in case something happens to Geno Smith. Many around town are pushing for the Seahawks to bring in Cam Newton. I don’t see him as being a fit here. Sure, he’s a mobile quarterback who is big and can get yards with his feet, but he doesn’t have the accuracy needed for this offense.
Another problem with Newton is he’s unvaccinated, so he wouldn’t be able to get into the VMAC for five days. Thus, he can’t offer immediate hope.
The idea thing would being to get a veteran to go on the practice squad to start and be available to get activated. You wonder if they could talk someone like Blake Bortles into doing something like that.
The Seahawks did get tight end Gerald Everett off the COVID-19 list, so he’s available for the trip to Pittsburgh.
Should be an interesting week.
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Huard: Seahawks are about to learn how valuable Russell Wilson really is
