Insider clears up Eagles-Russell Wilson trade obstacle

[time2rock]

Insider clears up Eagles-Russell Wilson trade obstacle

 

Last offseason, when Russell Wilson's future with the Seahawks suddenly pulled a 180 and began looking uncertain, Wilson's agent oddly leaked a list of four teams that Wilson would've approved in a trade, waiving his contract's no-trade clause: the Cowboys, Bears, Saints, and Raiders.

No Eagles on that list, which is relevant these days because Wilson has repeatedly been linked to the Birds as a potential answer at the quarterback position this offseason, given Wilson's reportedly rocky relationship with Seattle's front office, the Seahawks' general downward trajectory, the Eagles' lack of clarity about Jalen Hurts' ability, and the Eagles' enormous draft pick haul.

All of that draft capital and logical dot-connecting, of course, is for naught if Wilson wouldn't approve a trade to the Eagles.

So... would he? ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter believes so.

Schefter joined 97.5 The Fanatic for his weekly appearance on The John Kincade Show, and as the conversation veered towards Wilson, that exact question came up. Here's what Schefter said:

"KINCADE: You've got to get him to waive the no-trade clause to get him to come to Philadelphia, though.

"SCHEFTER: I believe he'd waive the no-trade clause."

Well, that's a pretty straightforward answer! Good news for any Eagles fans interested in trading for Russ. 

What's *not* good news for the folks in that camp is the way Wilson has been playing since returning from a finger injury that kept him out for a month. Wilson's completion percentage is as low as it's been in four years, his touchdown percentage is as low as it's been in five years, and he's generally looked like a less-explosive version of himself.

Does Schefter think Wilson is starting to regress as he reaches the back half of his career? Or is this largely injury-related?  

"SCHEFTER: Something's not right there. Anybody that watches them knows, he's flailing right now. He's been struggling for the better part of a year, and I'm sure thing finger is a part of it, but that can't explain everything. And maybe some of it has to do with the fact that Seattle just doesn't have a run game. Good luck to the quarterback trying to make do without a running game at all."

I think that's a reasonable explanation. A lot of football fans will point to D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett and say, 'With those weapons, Wilson should be playing better football.' Except... if he doesn't have the time to get the ball to those guys, and he's generally lacking talent everywhere else (running back Chris Carson has been out since Week 4) how in the world is he supposed to produce?

And, to be clear, a down Wilson year still isn't bad. He ranks 21st in completion percentage, immediately behind Patrick Mahomes, Ryan Tannehill, Justin Herbert, and Aaron Rodgers. Good company. His yards per attempt ranks sixth, his touchdown percentage ranks 12th, and his interception percentage is fourth-lowest in the league - oddly enough, Carson Wentz is third.

This is still a very good quarterback, albeit one who's dealing with a finger injury and has very little in the way of help. If the Eagles can land him for a somewhat reasonable price - two Top-10 picks in April's draft? - they should make the effort.

https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/eagles/nfl-trade-rumors-will-russell-wilson-waive-trade-clause-eagles

[Jeep_man]

15 minutes ago, time2rock said:

Insider clears up Eagles-Russell Wilson trade obstacle

 

Last offseason, when Russell Wilson's future with the Seahawks suddenly pulled a 180 and began looking uncertain, Wilson's agent oddly leaked a list of four teams that Wilson would've approved in a trade, waiving his contract's no-trade clause: the Cowboys, Bears, Saints, and Raiders.

No Eagles on that list, which is relevant these days because Wilson has repeatedly been linked to the Birds as a potential answer at the quarterback position this offseason, given Wilson's reportedly rocky relationship with Seattle's front office, the Seahawks' general downward trajectory, the Eagles' lack of clarity about Jalen Hurts' ability, and the Eagles' enormous draft pick haul.

All of that draft capital and logical dot-connecting, of course, is for naught if Wilson wouldn't approve a trade to the Eagles.

So... would he? ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter believes so.

Schefter joined 97.5 The Fanatic for his weekly appearance on The John Kincade Show, and as the conversation veered towards Wilson, that exact question came up. Here's what Schefter said:

"KINCADE: You've got to get him to waive the no-trade clause to get him to come to Philadelphia, though.

"SCHEFTER: I believe he'd waive the no-trade clause."

Well, that's a pretty straightforward answer! Good news for any Eagles fans interested in trading for Russ. 

 

That is just about the worst news as far as Eagles are concerned.

Giving up 2, 1st round picks for Wilson is madness, he is past his peak and at best may have another 2 years of good/decent football left.  Eagles have so many holes to fill and is nowhere close to being a contender, Wilson here just will not work.. Roseman missed the opportunity to draft him, let bygones be bygones, it is time for him to stop getting a boner every night thinking about Wilson in Midnight Green.

I don't believe this trade will go down, well I hope not anyway...

[Procus]

Wilson is well past his prime and looks to be in decline.  I don't think the team wants to take on his contract anyway.  Hard pass.

[UK_EaglesFan89]

2 hours ago, Procus said:

Wilson is well past his prime and looks to be in decline.  I don't think the team wants to take on his contract anyway.  Hard pass.

The team shouldn't want to take on his contract and they shouldn't be willing to give up the draft capital to get him. I wouldn't even give up 1 first round pick for him. 

[Erie]

I'm a bit more bullish on Russell Wilson as some other commenters. However, I'm also content to keep developing Hurts and get some more talent around him also. I don't grade Hurts as potentially elite. But I see him as "enough" if we get him a few more weapons at WR and upgrade the D. 

[time2rock]

3 hours ago, Erie said:

I'm a bit more bullish on Russell Wilson as some other commenters. However, I'm also content to keep developing Hurts and get some more talent around him also. I don't grade Hurts as potentially elite. But I see him as "enough" if we get him a few more weapons at WR and upgrade the D. 

Hurts is "enough" to hold the fort down for another season (or possibly two) until the opportunity to add the right QB prospect presents itself.  Meanwhile you continue to monitor his overall development, and perhaps after another year you find you don't need someone else (if he can develop his passing game to become a legit threat through the air as well as with his legs).    

I think it is a better strategy long term to take this approach than strap ourselves with a lesser QB prospect like Daniel Jones, Dwayne Haskins, Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, Mitch Trubisky, etc.  I think the QBs in this year's class are much more likely to be closer to that group than Patrick Mahomes, Kyler Murray, Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, etc.  We shouldn't be in a hurry to add a QB just to add a QB.  Getting someone in the mold of the former group will set this franchise back even further.  Howie needs to show patience and build this roster the right way.