The Seattle Seahawks and quarterback Russell Wilson could be on their way to a split. It hasn’t reached that point yet but it appears to be moving in that direction.
Wilson has been frustrated with head coach Pete Carroll and the team, as he is tired of getting hit and sacked and wants to be able to be like some of the all-time great quarterbacks. He feels like he is being held back and he wants input on how the offense is designed.
In fact, according to a report by The Athletic, before the Seahawks played the Arizona Cardinals last season, Wilson “stormed out of the room” after his concerns and ideas were dismissed by Carroll.
Before the Thursday night game against Arizona, Wilson met with his coaches. For some time, Wilson has sought — even pushed — for influence within the organization regarding scheme and personnel. In the meeting, he outlined his own ideas for how to fix the offense. His suggestions were dismissed, multiple sources told The Athletic — another reminder to Wilson that the Seahawks did not see him the same way he saw himself, as a player who had earned greater control over his situation, his future, his legacy.
What has this led to?
He hasn’t formally requested a trade like Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. However, it is only one step away from that.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Wilson has told the team there are only four teams he would allow a trade to — the Las Vegas Raiders, Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints.
Russell Wilson has told the Seahawks he wants to play in Seattle but, if a trade were considered, the only teams he would go to are the Cowboys, Saints, Raiders and Bears, his agent Mark Rodgers said to ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 25, 2021
Wilson has a no-trade clause in his contract so he can veto any trade and can control whether he goes or stays unless the team terminates his contract.
Wilson has been the best quarterback in the division for years and one of the best in the NFL since he started his career. However, what seemed like the sturdiest quarterback situation in the NFL now appears to be crumbling because of a power struggle between him and Carroll.
Will things get worked out? This strife can ultimately unite a team but it can also make things go badly, which only benefits the Cardinals, a team on the rise hoping to achieve what Seattle has done over the last nearly decade.
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