QB Wilson would waive no-trade for deal with Raiders
For Raiders fans, today is a great day for star-gazing. Not only are the Raiders a “dark-horse” candidate to sign free-agent defensive end J.J. Watt, but also Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson said through his agent Thursday he’d welcome a trade to the Raiders.
As for the likelihood of either All-Pro ever winding up wearing Silver & Black, that’s not such an appealing notion for Raiders followers to consider.
Nonetheless, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Wilson’s agent Mark Rodgers revealed his client, who has a no-trade clause, would only accept a deal to four teams: the Raiders, Cowboys, Saints or Bears. Of course, Rodgers prefaced that by saying Wilson, whose relationship with Seahawks coaches is reportedly strained, still wants to play in Seattle.
There are many, though, who believe Wilson’s 10-year partnership with the Seahawks may not be repairable. Wilson is said to want a stronger voice in the team’s personnel decisions as well as the focus of its offense.
According to a report in The Athletic, Wilson and the Seahawks are headed for divorce.
“Some people around the league think a trade could happen, if not this offseason then sometime in the near future,” per The Athletic.
Wilson could command up to three first-round picks, per multiple reports, and the 32-year-old has three years left on a fouryear, $140 million deal he signed in April 2019.
If the Wilson/Seahawks partnership isn’t sustainable, the oddsmakers have installed the Raiders are the 4-1 favorites to land him in a trade, based on Thursday’s report of his preferred destinations. Curiously, the Dolphins, who are not on his wish list of teams, are the second-favorites to get Wilson at 7-1.
Ready for the obstacles in the way for the Raiders? First off, the cost of acquiring the 32-year-old Wilson, still one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks, would be massive.
It would take a package including current Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, multiple top draft picks and possibly Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller to pry Wilson loose.
Then there’s the trade cost for the Seahawks to consider. Not only would they be jettisoning one of the league’s elite quarterbacks, they’d also pay the price with an NFL-record $39 million in dead money on their 2021 salary cap, according to ESPN Stats & Info. Any team acquiring Wilson, though, would absorb a manageable $19 million cap hit.
Meanwhile, there’s a slightly more realistic shot of the Raiders convincing All-Pro defensive end Watt to sign with them once the NFL year begins March 17.
John Clayton of 710 ESPN Seattle reported the Raiders are a dark horse candidate to land the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Watt, who turns 32 next month, would represent a massive upgrade over any other Raiders pass rusher. After all, the Raiders have had one of the NFL’s most anemic pass rushes over the past three seasons since coach Jon Gruden took over.
It would take a massive offer by the Raiders to acquire Watt, who is reportedly much more likely to land with either the Titans, Packers or Bills after being released by the Texans last month. ESPN reported Watt has received at least one offer for $15 million to $16 million annually.
There are at least 12 teams showing serious interest in Watt, according to multiple reports. Watt is said to be ready to trim that list down to five or six possibilities by next week.
Like most teams, the Raiders still have some salary cap issues to deal with before they can realistically attract high-priced free agents. The Raiders, though, can clear space by releasing players — backup quarterback Marcus Mariota ($11.4 million cap hit), right tackle Trent Brown ($14 million) and safety Lamarcus Joyner ($11.2 million) are the most mentioned potential cap casualties.
WATSON TELLS NEW COACH HE WANTS OUT OF HOUSTON >> Disgruntled Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson met with new head coach David Culley late last week and told him he has no intention of playing for the team again, ESPN reported.
It’s the latest nugget in the staredown between Watson and the Texans that began more than a month ago.
Watson’s unhappiness with the team began with the process around the hiring of general manager Nick Caserio. He reportedly was unhappy with the Texans after the team did not consult with him before hiring Caserio.