JOHN CLAYTON

Clayton: Won’t be easy for Seahawks to replace Wilson after surprising trade

Mar 8, 2022, 3:53 PM | Updated: 6:39 pm

Seahawks Russell Wilson...

Russell Wilson celebrates after a touchdown during the Seahawks' win over Detroit on Jan. 2. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

I never thought a Russell Wilson trade would happen by the Seahawks.

Reports: Seahawks trading Russell Wilson to Denver Broncos

That caused me to debate anyone who thought it would happen. Trading him takes away a Hall of Fame quarterback and one who could get this Seahawks team back to the Super Bowl. Well it happened. I was wrong.

Wilson goes to Denver for a lot. The Seahawks get a first-round this year and a first-round pick next year. They get a second-round pick this year and next. They also get a fifth-round pick this year. The Seahawks trade Wilson to Denver along with a fourth-round pick. There were also three players involved in the trade. The biggest name was tight end Noah Fant. They received defensive end Shelby Harris and quarterback Drew Lock. They didn’t get Bradley Chubb.

Wilson Trade: Who Seahawks reportedly get from Denver

Getting Fant gives them a starting tight end so they don’t have be urgent about re-signing Gerald Everett. In fact, they probably won’t. In three years, he has 170 catches and 2019 yards. He averages 11.2 yards a catch. He’s also a former first-round pick. If they can’t sign him to a long-term deal, which he could start negotiating this year, they can use the fifth-year option in 2023.

Harris is a 6-2, 292-pound defensive end. He had six sacks last year and 26 career sacks. He had 49 combined tackles last year.

It’s hard to figure out how Lock fits in. For his career he has completed 59.3% of his passes. He’s 6-4 and 228 pounds. He’s entering his four season and was drafted in the second round.

But with Wilson gone they have to be on the quarterback search. They could draft Malik Willis or Kenny Pickett because they have the ninth pick in the draft. They have enough draft choices to go after Deshaun Watson despite his 21 lawsuits. But it won’t be easy. This isn’t considered a great draft for quarterbacks. But this is the first time since 2012 the Seahawks have had to search for a starting quarterback.

It took three years for Carroll to get Wilson. It’s safe to say the Seahawks are in rebuilding mode without Wilson. I didn’t think it would happen.

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