With only one notable exception, the common denominator for all of the contenders that made it to this past weekend’s insane divisional round extravaganza is that they all have a franchise quarterback who performs at a high level more often than not. The Chiefs’ overtime victory over the Bills was arguably the greatest game of all time – and at the very least the best QB duel we’ve ever witnessed in the playoffs. In any case, right now Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen are setting the standard at this position and every other team is playing from behind.
While he’s not quite on the same level as Mahomes or Allen, the Seahawks have a capable quarterback of their own in Russell Wilson. However, Wilson will turn 34 years old during the middle of next season and the inconsistency he has displayed over the last two years is mildly concerning.
Pro Football Focus has ranked Seattle No. 19 in the league when it comes to QB neediness – right at the top of their “look to the future” category.
“The Russell Wilson era seems likely headed for some kind of ending in Seattle. If Wilson was upset last offseason, nothing that happened this year can have improved his disposition. He was under pressure as much as ever, the scheme was doing little to help and he suffered the first significant injury of his NFL career. Wilson has been an excellent quarterback for the team, but the Seahawks’ roster is now bad enough that even he can’t drag them to the playoffs every year. If he wants out, Seattle needs a new answer, because Geno Smith isn’t taking over.”
To be fair, Wilson’s finger injury clearly impacted his play the first few weeks after he returned to the lineup and he’s since admitted that he wasn’t close to feeling 100%. However, Wilson also struggled dramatically in the second half of the 2020 campaign when he was healthy.
It’s possible that these are just bumps in the road in an otherwise stellar career. The Seahawks have to at least consider the possibility that Wilson’s game has already peaked and they’ll only get declining returns from here on out.
Given Geno Smith’s situation – including an expiring contract and a recent arrest on suspicion of a DUI, this team is in need of at least one more QB heading into the offseason.
Unfortunately, the 2022 quarterback draft class is supposed to be really bad, so even getting a quality backup is no guarantee – to say nothing of finding a potential successor to Wilson.
Free agency may be the answer, here. The top names at the position about to hit the market include Jameis Winston, Cam Newton and Teddy Bridgewater.
