Russell Wilson Rumors: Latest Trade Buzz on Seahawks QB Before Free Agency Opens

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson is a future Hall of Famer. He already has one Super Bowl win and two appearances on his resume and has been named to the Pro Bowl in eight of his nine pro seasons. In short, the 32-year-old is one of the most consistently great NFL quarterbacks of the past decade.

For the bulk of Wilson's career, the idea that he could find himself on the move from Seattle while still in his prime seemed foolish at best. However, as the March 17 start of free agency looms, the possibility of a Wilson trade is very real.

Wilson has publicly voiced his displeasure with his lack of protection—he's been sacked 146 times over the last three seasons—and Seattle hasn't been happy about it.

"A source told me that the Seahawks management is not happy with Russell Wilson and his camp for taking this to the media. ... The current situation is unsustainable," Dan Patrick said on The Dan Patrick Show (h/t Rob Staton of BBC Sports).

While Seattle may not be actively shopping their quarterback, it has at least been gauging his trade value.

"I know there's been calls made on both sides," ESPN's Dianna Russini said on The Pat McAfee Show. "Going to Seattle, and from Seattle to other teams."

Along with Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, Wilson should be one of the two hottest trade targets out there upon the start of the 2021 league year. The Chicago Bears are reportedly among the teams interested in landing him.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler said the following on SportsCenter:

"The expectation league-wide is that Chicago's going to try to take a big swing here at getting Russell. Now, Seattle has given no clear indication that they are going to trade him. Russell Wilson himself still does not expect to be traded. But Chicago's going to at least try to make that change and put together a package. That's what most people around the league do expect."

Of course, there's a big difference between taking a swing and hitting a home run. While the Seahawks may be listening to trade offers, they have not engaged in negotiations, according to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport.

"No one I've spoken with has said that Seattle has actually engaged in any of these talks," Rapoport said on NFL Network.

Still, the idea that Seattle is even listening to offers is an exciting one. We've already seen trades involving Matthew Stafford, Jared Goff and Carson Wentz this offseason, so a Wilson trade doesn't feel impossible.

On the verge of free agency, though, it doesn't feel like a trade involving Wilson is on the immediate horizon.