One of ESPN’s strengths is its stable of NFL insiders who happen to have played or worked deep within the game. And while not all players and former executives provide the best insight, they provide a unique insight that others can’t account for with breakdowns. Again, it’s not always great. But the balance and perspective can be valuable given the context.
So on a day where the NFL was rocked with not one, but TWO TRADES, I present this proposal from former NFL GM Mike Tannenbaum:
1. We doing this again??
2. Two-1s, a 2, Roquan, and that’s it?!!????? Done. pic.twitter.com/hZfup607BC
— Joe Ostrowski (@JoeO670) March 26, 2021
At first blush, especially after seeing the trades that went down today, I’m thinking that’s a light return for Seattle. If it takes the equivalent of three first-rounders to move up from No. 12 to No. 3 to take QB3 in a particular draft class, then shouldn’t it take more to acquire an established starter? You’d think that, right? But then again, who would have thought two trades within the top-10 of the upcoming draft would happen in March.
But I digress, if only to re-visit the idea of trading for Russell Wilson. Because all this brings me back to something we’ve discussed previously. If a Wilson deal were to be completed, I’m still convinced it would take four first-round picks. Whether it’s from the Bears or one of the other QB-starved teams in the league, I believe – at my core – that’s the bare minimum it will take. I can’t imagine the Seahawks tabling discussions with the Bears in early March just to settle for two first-round picks (even if it came with a player of Roquan Smith’s caliber). Otherwise, Tannenbaum’s proposal would likely get accepted by the Bears’ brass so quickly, it would make your head spin.
Because, even if losing Roquan Smith and Kyle Fuller in the same offseason lessens your defense’s power, Wilson is the type of quarterback who lifts all boats. And you’d certainly trust Chicago’s front office to find capable linebackers and cornerbacks before you trust it to unearth a top quarterback.
Speaking of which, I’m intrigued by the idea of getting the Jets involved. Conveniently enough, his proposal came the morning of Zach Wilson’s Pro Day at BYU. And now that reports are surfacing that the Jets seem willing to lower their price tag, I’m reminded that I don’t believe in coincidences. Especially not this time of year.
Nevertheless, while I’m not sold on Sam Darnold Pete Carroll might be. This is from the New York Post in December:
“I think he’s really talented, without question. He’s got great throws in him. He’s a real quarterback. He sees things. He makes big plays and big throws in difficult situations because of his talent. It’s just a matter of time. Sam’s going to be a really big-time QB. He’s thrown a lot of balls in three years. He’s had a lot of experience. It will pay off in the long run.”
If you’re wary of falling down this rabbit hole again, you are not alone. HOWEVER, the realities of this situation are the Seahawks were never doing a trade in which they (1) couldn’t get a max return in draft capital and (2) couldn’t get a quarterback they liked. And now that we’re establishing costs of doing business, I’m curious to see how this impacts trade costs in different areas.
In the end, chatter surrounding this deal hasn’t subsided just yet. In fact, quarterback chatter around the league is about to pick up.