Although the Chicago Bears declared Andy Dalton the team’s QB1 for the 2021 season, hopes – however small – of potentially landing quarterback Russell Wilson have not died. In fact, they seem to be increasing again.
Much like Wilson’s speculation for Chicago dominated the headlines for a few weeks, reports of a potential Wilson trade that was not yet dead have surfaced in recent weeks. And from trusted sources like ESPN’s Adam Schefter and now Jeff Darlington.
Darlington appeared on some podcasts, including The Rick Eisen show and The Ringer, where he shared his belief that Wilson will not be in the Seattle cast at the start of the 2021 season.
Is Russell Wilson leaving Seattle? @ryenarussillo is joined by @JeffDarlington to discuss this and more in the #RussilloPod: pic.twitter.com/RaVwaVCG8R
– The Ringer (@ringer) March 24, 2021
“This further indicates that he will not be on the list in 2021.”
–@JeffDarlington from an angle that we did NOT see coming to the Russell Wilson saga with the #Seahawks:#NFL #NFLFreeAgency #NFLDraft @RyanDLeaf pic.twitter.com/qsL1UFZHC3
– Rich Eisen’s Show (@RichEisenShow) March 24, 2021
“I don’t fully believe that Russell Wilson will play in Seattle in 2021,” said Darlington in The Ringer. “I still believe … where there is smoke with Russ Wilson, there is fire. When you start naming teams that you are willing to play, you are one foot out the door. Very rarely in the NFL, recently as Tom Brady, when someone puts a foot out the door, they usually don’t come back. ”
Now, whether or not that means that Chicago is still at stake, it remains to be seen. But Schefter said the Bears “did not give up hope” of potentially getting Wilson, even though he signed with Dalton.
Chicago was very close to getting Wilson not long ago – where the reported offer was three choices in the first round, one choice in the third round and two players. But the Seahawks were unwilling to part with Wilson “at this time”, a phrase that has been used by Schefter several times since the initial offer failed.
What’s holding Seattle back is having a replacement for Wilson, something that Chicago can’t exactly offer with the 20th overall choice. But things can certainly change, and the time to observe the Seahawks is closer to the draft, where Schefter and now Darlington said to keep an eye out for a possible exchange.
While Bears fans certainly won’t get their hopes up again, it’s hard to imagine this story going away before the draft.