Oh Brother. :roll:
All this talk about the Seahawks looking to trade Russell Wilson, move on from him, etc.? No way.
You know what I think this is truly all about? Knowing Schneider and Carroll (as much as any fan can possibly know those guys), I'd say this interest in scouting a QB is about 2 basic things:
1) It's about ALWAYS COMPETE. What is it that Pete Carroll is all about? What is it that he always says? What is it that he has preached from the very beginning (and has never changed)? ALWAYS COMPETE. Creating competition is literally part of Pete Carroll's DNA. It's who he is. It's what he does. And each and every year (in theory) there is competition for each and every spot on the field. They want guys who can push starters for jobs each and every year. They do not want to bring in guys who have the mentality of, "Oh man, I get the chance to play with Earl Thomas." NO -- they want guys with the mentality of, "I get the chance to compete with Earl Thomas for the starting FS job." Realistic or not, that's the mindset. And that competition mindset has been present year in and year out since Pete got here. Since 2012, one can argue that competition has existed for each and every position except one -- quarterback. This is about finding someone who potentially has the talent who could literally compete for Russell Wilson's job. That's good for the Seahawks ... and that's good for Russell Wilson, as it makes him the best he can be.
2) It's about the Green Bay Way. Seriously, recall your history folks. This is how they do business in Green Bay -- it's how they always have done business since Ron Wolf. They are always looking to draft and groom QB's for the future -- either to groom as potential successors ... OR to trade eventually for draft capital. Think about it. How did we get Matt Hasselbeck? It's because Green Bay drafted him in the 6th Round on the 1998 draft ... and then traded him to us 3 years later. They got a nice little haul from that move (moved up 7 spots in the 1st round and netted a 3rd round choice). How about Aaron Rodgers? Green Bay drafted him at the tail end of the 1st Round in 2005 ... and he sat behind Brett Favre before eventually succeeding him in 2008. John Schneider was there throughout all of this. He was steeped in it. Personally, I think it's bothered him for a long time that he's never found a guy in the draft whom he felt could be either:
A] Potential Draft Capital for Seattle that they could look to later trade. AND/OR
B] A guy who could be legitimate competition for Russell Wilson (or his eventual successor should he decide to eventually move on). Sure would be nice to have a back-up whom you feel good about who can actually come in and win a game.
Personally, I'd say that this isn't news -- it's what Carroll and Schneider have always, always wanted.
I would be highly, highly shocked if all of this scouting of QB prospects is about anything other than that.