The New England Patriots are searching every lane to find their next franchise quarter, but it looks like one of them is already close. Although Russell Wilson is reportedly a candidate to change outside the team this season, the eight-time Pro Bowler has only four preferred destinations if he does not stay with the Seattle Seahawks.
Wilson’s agent, Mark Rodgers, told ESPN that his client did not claim a trade, despite recent rumors suggesting otherwise. However, should there be pressure, the 32-year-old of the trade clause in his contract would waive only four potential suitors – and the Patriots are not one of them.
Apparently, Wilson would just consider being traded to the Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, Las Vegas Raiders and New Orleans Saints. While trading after one of the franchises does indeed seem unlikely, despite recent reports from Seattle, there are few things that can ever be ruled out in the NFL.
“There’s always a chance for everything,” as Cam Newton, New England’s starting quarterback in 2020, recently said, albeit in a different context (he could possibly return to the Patriots in a free agency).
A theoretical dissertation by Russell Wilson could also affect the Patriots, even if it is not the team that lands him. The four clubs that Wilson is allegedly considering will in all likelihood make a follow-up move that could then create a different dynamic for the English quarter-final. Again, this is only theoretical in nature, but it shows how easily the QB market can change.
Wilson, who is moving to Chicago, for example, could lead the Bears to separate from one of the other fullbacks currently in their position: former draft pick Mitchell Trubisky and former Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles. Both can enter the market if Wilson joins their current team.
On the other hand, if Wilson goes to Dallas, Dak Prescott will definitely move on to five seasons as the Cowboys’ forward and an extended contract. Prescott is the best quarterback to come out of the 2016 draft, and is one of the NFL’s most dynamic players and as such a target for many teams – including New England. The most likely scenario, of course, is just that the Seahawks and Cowboys will have to switch a quarter: Dallas will give Prescott’s franchise label and move him to Seattle in exchange for Wilson.
Wilson, who is going to Las Vegas, will meanwhile put not just one, but also two Raiders full-backs on the market. Marcus Mariota is already expected to be available, and the current betting favorite to be the Patriots’ next starter, while Derek Carr will then join him. Both would be targets for New England under the right financial conditions.
Eventually, Wilson’s move to New Orleans would create a situation in which both Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston would turn into candidates to be acquired by other teams like the Patriots. Although both have their faults – Hill was just a gadget player, Winston struggled with ball safety in Tampa Bay before being replaced by Tom Brady – they can attract at least a few other quarterback-needy teams.
At the end of the day, a trade in Wilson will be a shock, regardless of what the recent reports say. The Patriots can and will not count on it shaking up the current quarterback landscape.
With all that said, this story shows that the market is as volatile as in recent memory. Each release and trade can have an impact on numerous teams – their QB situations and draft prospects. New England, which will be 15th at the end of April, will keep a close eye on every development, even if it is only theoretical in nature, like a trade in Russell Wilson.