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The NFL’s evolution towards the NBA is becoming a revolution. Once the transformation is complete, we will look back on Tuesday, February 9, as one of the most significant moments in the process.
The appearance of quarterback Russel Wilson of the Seahawks in The Dan Patrick Show he had a rare and raw frankness. The defenders of the franchise, overcome by the vibration of the company man and the basic fear of alienating the fan base, usually say all the right things at the right times, never showing anything but total and complete loyalty to the team, to the cause, to the fans. fans.
Texas quarterback Deshaun Watson claimed the highest priority in the NFL news cycle when requesting a particular exchange. He hasn’t said publicly yet that he wants to leave, but his silence – and the changes to his social media pages – speak for themselves.
Still, no defender in the franchise has presented a public case, calm and grounded for what Wilson wants: direct voice in the decisions made regarding the construction of the team that will surround him.
Some would say (as Simms did today in PFT Live) that any defender who seeks such influence should start grinding the film like any other scout. Wilson is certainly looking for something less engaging, yet impactful. With his legacy at stake, Wilson wants to know that the other 10 players on the attack and the 11 full-backs will complement, not complicate, his desire to win more Super Bowls.
With Tom Brady monopolizing seven of them since 2001, there just aren’t enough championships for the other quarterbacks of the league’s caliber. Ben Roethlisberger won two. Eli Manning won two. Peyton Manning won two. Since 1999, they have been unique winners: Kurt Warner, Trent Dilfer, Brad Johnson, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, Joe Flacco, Russel Wilson, Nick Foles, Patrick Mahomes.
Wilson needs to reach two, obviously, before he can reach three, four or more. Rodgers remains with less than two. Mahomes had two great seasons that ended without winning the Super Bowl, thanks to Brady.
Frankly, Rodgers has much more reason to speak than Wilson. The Packers have chronically failed to put enough talent around them. Rodgers, however, prefers to send messages with subtle and indirect phrases. He resents when members of the media identify the messages and amplify them, because he is not ready to risk the years of grudge that Brett Favre endured – and all he did was want to leave at the moment when the Packers made it clear that they did not want to. him more. (It didn’t help that Favre was determined to play for the Vikings.)
Wilson has the ability and credibility to speak openly about the desire to be involved in personnel decisions. About being frustrated. About teams calling to inquire about an exchange. About being potentially available in an exchange.
It is probably no coincidence that Wilson’s decision to launch an elaborate media strategy, including leaks for reporters and comments on the recording and messages for a former player with a platform in Brandon Marshall, occurred immediately after Brady left New England after two decades of “do your f – king job” and did the job in Tampa to help the team build a championship franchise. Brady attracted Rob Gronkowski. Brady wanted and got Antonio Brown. (Wilson wanted, but he couldn’t, Brown. ) Brady attracted Leonard Fournette, Brady will attract even more veterans who want to chase a championship in 2021, including Adrian Peterson.
Wilson and Rodgers could too. Their teams have not yet allowed it. Wilson’s comments represent a franchise quarterback’s most aggressive effort to change the image of “company man” and become the company, man.
It will work or not. Otherwise, Wilson’s Seattle expiration date will be shorter than anyone can imagine.