If Russell Wilson is traded this offseason, the Raiders are favorites to acquire the Seattle Seahawks quarterback.
The bad news for Las Vegas fans who hope to see the seven-time NFL Pro Bowler in Silver and Black is that the odds makers don’t expect Wilson to be traded.
“I would say the odds are less than zero,” said Ed Salmons, vice president of risk for Westgate sportsbook. “Because Seattle is not in a position to rebuild after switching its first and second round choices for the next two years (for the safety of Jets Jamal Adams).”
That said, Sportsbetting.com, an online sportsbook in Colorado, posted odds on the next team for Wilson and Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. Each player must be traded by September 1 for action.
The Raiders are 4-1 to be Wilson’s next team, followed by the Dallas Cowboys (6-1), Miami Dolphins (8-1), New Orleans Saints (10-1) and Chicago Bears (12-1).
Unlike Watson, Wilson – married to Grammy-winning singer Ciara – did not demand an exchange. But his agent, Mark Rodgers, told ESPN that the QB would accept one for Raiders, Cowboys, Saints and Bears.
“There is certainly a lot of speculation and uncertainty, including the fact that it is very unlikely to actually be traded,” said SportsBetting.com chief trader Lenny Estrin in an email. “At the end of the day, the Raiders are unable to move into the glitz and glamor of Las Vegas with Jon Gruden in charge and remain mediocre. They have to make some noise at some point, and what better way than to bring Wilson and Ciara and their growing celebrity status to Sin City. “
Watson favored to be traded
Salmons makes Watson, 25, a little favorite to trade.
“That would be much more feasible and he is much more valuable than Wilson because he is seven years younger,” he said.
The Dolphins are the +250 favorites to be Watson’s next team, followed by the Jets (3-1), Denver Broncos (3-1) and Carolina Panthers (6-1). The Raiders are 20-1.
An ESPN radio station reported that Watson would approve an exchange for the Dolphins, Jets and Panthers.
“They make more sense because these teams have the capital to negotiate,” said Salmons.
Patriots for Mariots?
Sportsbetting.com also stands a chance in the next QB of the New England Patriots. Raiders’ backup Marcus Mariota is the +250 favorite, followed by Jacoby Brissett (+350), Jarrett Stidham (4-1), Cam Newton (5-1) and a QB rookie (5-1).
“Mariota makes sense in New England in many ways,” said Estrin. “He is an intoxicating defender who will not lose games because of mental mistakes. He is accurate with short distance passes and is a guy of high character who will have no problem adopting the way of (coach Bill) Belichick. “
It’s a lock
Other QB props on Sportsbetting.com are about whether Jimmy Garoppolo will make the first snap for the 49ers in Week 1 and whether Drew Lock will make the first snap for the Broncos in Week 1.
Garoppolo is one of 500 favorites to start the season in San Francisco. The block is at -149 at the beginning of the year for Denver, which has the ninth choice in the 2021 draft.
Westgate posted odds for the next Denver QB in their Colorado book and drew with Lock and a novice QB as a +120 favorite. Salmons takes a newcomer’s side.
“I would be shocked if Denver went with Lock,” he said. “You are in a position to take a quarterback and you have a lot to choose from.”
Contact reporter Todd Dewey at [email protected]. follow @ tdewey33 on twitter.