Salk: Time for the Seahawks to trade Russell Wilson? That’s a bad idea
Dec 19, 2017, 11:34 AM | Updated: Dec 20, 2017, 10:31 am
The Seahawks are facing their longest Super Bowl odds since 2012. (AP)
(AP)
Well, it finally happened. The Seahawks suffered such a bad loss and created enough frustration with their future that people have started to suggest trading Russell Wilson. Sure, right now it is just a few folks on the internet, but we’ll see if it spreads.
I am here to tell you that I am uniquely qualified to talk about how dumb this is.
O’Neil: What we’re trying to figure out about the Seahawks
Hi, I’m Mike, and I once advocated for the Patriots trading Tom Brady. No, it wasn’t a hot take – I really believed it at the time. And no, it wasn’t after his rookie year with Drew Bledsoe set to return. It was after Matt Cassell went 10-6 with his team. I truly thought the value they could get for Brady, combined with New England’s system, would make it worthwhile.
I was wrong.
I know, I’m an idiot. But the reason I was wrong is only partly because Brady has appeared in three Super Bowls (winning two) since then. That dude is a freak.
It is also because franchise quarterbacks are just that hard to find. Cassell wasn’t one. Nor was Tarvaris Jackson, Charlie Whitehurst or Matt Flynn. Russell is one and he is the most untouchable member of this team. The only reason to trade him is if you had a different franchise quarterback you wanted or if you truly didn’t believe he deserved that moniker. And I think he does.
I also don’t think the system here survives without him. Heck, it barely survives with him. If you want to provide a little competition for him and develop the next Jimmy Garappolo, cool. But trade Russell? Insane.
The key to winning consistently in the NFL is to not fall in love with your players, stay young (especially on defense), don’t beat yourself – and most importantly, find and keep your franchise quarterback.
