A recent signature signals that Russell Wilson will not be traded this off-season. (Getty)
On the eve of the start of the free agency, some things became clear to the Seahawks.
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First, they felt – and were right to think – that Shaquill Griffin was the best cornerback on the market. The debate was between Griffin and William Jackson of Cincinnati Bengals. Jackson remains available, but Griffin has agreed to a $ 44.5 million three-year contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. If the price were around $ 10 million or perhaps $ 11 million a year, the Seahawks could keep it up.
With the salary cap dropping 8% to $ 182.5 million, the Seahawks hoped that Griffin would not be able to get his true value. In a normal year, he could have received a $ 14.8 million contract a year. Normal is when the limit increases by $ 10 million year on year. As Griffin can return to Florida, where he was raised and played college football, this was an offer he couldn’t refuse. And because the Seahawks did not place a restricted free agent offer on linebacker Shaquem Griffin, he is free to join his brother in Jacksonville.
The other defining part of Tuesday was the Signature of quarterback Andy Dalton by the Chicago Bears. Dalton won a $ 10 million one-year contract to go to Chicago. Dalton is signing very well ends any ongoing conversation about a Russell Wilson deal.
Wilson’s agent, Mark Rodgers, listed four teams that would interest him if he asked for an exchange. Wilson did not ask for an exchange and the conversations ended.
The New Orleans Saints, which has just reached the salary cap, has re-signed QB Jameis Wilson. The Dallas Cowboys gave Dak Prescott a $ 160 million contract for four years. The Las Vegas Raiders cut or switched three attackers – Trenton Brown, Rodney Hudson and Richie Incognito – and told guard Gabe Wilson that he would be released.
The Bears were aggressive in trying to get Wilson out of the Seahawks, but were told he would not be traded. There was a story that the Bears could offer five choices in the first round, but it was not true. The league will not allow a team to negotiate a first round choice for more than three years in the future. In addition, negotiating with Wilson would eliminate the Seahawks as a playoff candidate, as his $ 39 million limit would be paralyzing.
What I wonder is whether the conversation about Wilson’s trade continues. Should not. There would never be an exchange.
One thing fans who have turned against Wilson must realize is one of the reasons why the Seahawks did not release the cap room from Wilson’s contract is not yet because of his selfish act. Making a replacement deal with Wilson would significantly increase his capitalization number in the years to come. If the Seahawks or Wilson want to break their relationship next year, the dead money in the cap will prohibit any kind of trade, as everyone has witnessed this year.
The Chicago word is that the Bears also learned that there was no way for the Seahawks to negotiate with Wilson, because they would not receive a quarterback in return. The choice of Bears in the first round of this year in the 20th overall position, and five defenders can go before that choice.
It seemed that the Seahawks needed to fight for help in the cornerback after the news of Shaquill Griffin’s departure. They were unable to catch Janoris Jenkins, who agreed to a contract with the Tennessee Titans. But while the rehiring of Quinton Dunbar is an option and the choice of Casey Hayward or Patrick Peterson might be under consideration, they hired Ahkello Witherspoon from the 49ers on Tuesday afternoon.
Running back should be the next step. Losing Griffin could give the Seahawks more room to sign Chris Carson again. Otherwise, they could choose Leonard Fournette or other defenders.
It’s a busy time, but Wilson’s story is almost over.
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