Hey all,
Panther fan here. I feel as though this Russell Wilson story is a little manufactured by the media, with Wilson giving honest answers to questions and the media running with it. I would be shocked if you trade him, but I would also like to make a few points from an outsider's perspective.
1. Wilson is a top 20 QB all time, and top 5 currently.
This is pretty undeniable. The all time top ten is pretty stacked with the obvious legends, but Wilson has carved out an epic career to date. 1 ring and 2 SB trips is already more than Rodgers and Brees managed, partly for the reason of being in a stacked NFC for years (though that is changing - see below). As an opposition fan, he has always been an absolute pain to play, and you never feel safe against him. Sure he has some weaknesses, but he is absolutely elite. There is a long list of franchises who have NEVER had a QB as talented as Wilson.
2. The balance of QB power is changing from the NFC to the AFC.
For many years, the AFC was top heavy (Brady, Manning, Big Ben) while the NFC was loaded, providing an absolute gauntlet of QBs to get through every post season. That is changing dramatically, and we could be a couple of years away (Brady retiring, Rodgers old) from Wilson being in his mid thirties and by far and away the best QB in the NFC. Things can change with drafts, trades etc., but realistically, who else will there be based on the current picture? Kyler Murray? There is set to be an absolute dearth, with Wilson standing out a mile.
3. Brady is a funny mirror.
Brady's achievements have distorted what is possible in the salary cap era. Even before the salary cap, the gold standard for SB achievements with one QB was 4-0. In the salary cap era, after Brady you have Peyton 2-2 (including being carried to his last ring), Big Ben 2-1, Eli Manning 2-0, Elway 2-0, Warner 1-2, then Wilson, Favre and Mahomes at 1-1. I may be missing someone, but the point is that Brady's 7-3 record is absurd in any era, and though his and the Patriots' achievements should be aspired to, the Russell Wilson era is already well on the way to the non-Brady gold standard, which is getting to 3-4 big games and winning a couple.
4. Many teams underachieve in Championships.
A bit of an odd way to phrase it, but my point is that every season there are 4-6 teams who genuinely feel like they could/should have won it all (this season at least Tampa, New Orleans, Green Bay and Kansas City, with Baltimore and Buffalo as other possibilities). So there are about 4-6 times as many lost opportunities which fan bases rue, as actual championships. In many ways, I see Seattle, Green Bay and New Orleans in a similar light, in that you have all - in theory - left championships on the table with amazing QBs, but in a loaded NFC. Again, Brady and NE have distorted the reality of what is a likely return in this era. Mahomes and KC may make it even more difficult to add rings for other franchises.
5. Every season is a new iteration of a squad.
Weaknesses are frustrating, and a great QB may eat a lot of cap, but he also keeps you relevant, and it just takes everything hitting to break through again - I would use Atlanta in 2017 as an example, except for them falling at the final hurdle, but their run shows what happens when a team fires on all cylinders. The fact that Seattle manage to be relevant every season (along with GB and NO) in the NFC means that you have a higher foundation from which to try and break through.
6. Trying to get the "above average QB and loaded team" combo is easier said than done.
Yes, SF and LA came close recently with this setup, but the risks outweigh the rewards. You could just as easily end up with pre-Brady Tampa, a loaded side going 7-9 because they were held back by their QB. There is nothing quite so awful as being a QB away.
Well, just a few thoughts. Either way, most franchises would swap for your QB and situation in a heartbeat. If this was Carolina and someone needs to go overboard to lighten the load, Pete is getting wet long before Wilson.
Panther fan here. I feel as though this Russell Wilson story is a little manufactured by the media, with Wilson giving honest answers to questions and the media running with it. I would be shocked if you trade him, but I would also like to make a few points from an outsider's perspective.
1. Wilson is a top 20 QB all time, and top 5 currently.
This is pretty undeniable. The all time top ten is pretty stacked with the obvious legends, but Wilson has carved out an epic career to date. 1 ring and 2 SB trips is already more than Rodgers and Brees managed, partly for the reason of being in a stacked NFC for years (though that is changing - see below). As an opposition fan, he has always been an absolute pain to play, and you never feel safe against him. Sure he has some weaknesses, but he is absolutely elite. There is a long list of franchises who have NEVER had a QB as talented as Wilson.
2. The balance of QB power is changing from the NFC to the AFC.
For many years, the AFC was top heavy (Brady, Manning, Big Ben) while the NFC was loaded, providing an absolute gauntlet of QBs to get through every post season. That is changing dramatically, and we could be a couple of years away (Brady retiring, Rodgers old) from Wilson being in his mid thirties and by far and away the best QB in the NFC. Things can change with drafts, trades etc., but realistically, who else will there be based on the current picture? Kyler Murray? There is set to be an absolute dearth, with Wilson standing out a mile.
3. Brady is a funny mirror.
Brady's achievements have distorted what is possible in the salary cap era. Even before the salary cap, the gold standard for SB achievements with one QB was 4-0. In the salary cap era, after Brady you have Peyton 2-2 (including being carried to his last ring), Big Ben 2-1, Eli Manning 2-0, Elway 2-0, Warner 1-2, then Wilson, Favre and Mahomes at 1-1. I may be missing someone, but the point is that Brady's 7-3 record is absurd in any era, and though his and the Patriots' achievements should be aspired to, the Russell Wilson era is already well on the way to the non-Brady gold standard, which is getting to 3-4 big games and winning a couple.
4. Many teams underachieve in Championships.
A bit of an odd way to phrase it, but my point is that every season there are 4-6 teams who genuinely feel like they could/should have won it all (this season at least Tampa, New Orleans, Green Bay and Kansas City, with Baltimore and Buffalo as other possibilities). So there are about 4-6 times as many lost opportunities which fan bases rue, as actual championships. In many ways, I see Seattle, Green Bay and New Orleans in a similar light, in that you have all - in theory - left championships on the table with amazing QBs, but in a loaded NFC. Again, Brady and NE have distorted the reality of what is a likely return in this era. Mahomes and KC may make it even more difficult to add rings for other franchises.
5. Every season is a new iteration of a squad.
Weaknesses are frustrating, and a great QB may eat a lot of cap, but he also keeps you relevant, and it just takes everything hitting to break through again - I would use Atlanta in 2017 as an example, except for them falling at the final hurdle, but their run shows what happens when a team fires on all cylinders. The fact that Seattle manage to be relevant every season (along with GB and NO) in the NFC means that you have a higher foundation from which to try and break through.
6. Trying to get the "above average QB and loaded team" combo is easier said than done.
Yes, SF and LA came close recently with this setup, but the risks outweigh the rewards. You could just as easily end up with pre-Brady Tampa, a loaded side going 7-9 because they were held back by their QB. There is nothing quite so awful as being a QB away.
Well, just a few thoughts. Either way, most franchises would swap for your QB and situation in a heartbeat. If this was Carolina and someone needs to go overboard to lighten the load, Pete is getting wet long before Wilson.