An interview with Houston’s Payton Turner

Pass rush is in the spotlight again for the Seahawks, following the release of Carlos Dunlap this week. Payton Turner is one of the better options in the draft. Check out the interview below and please share it around if you’re able.

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297 Comments

    • Denver Hawker

      I’ve been wondering if Russ is ready to meet this moment. He’s made a clear effort to avoid directly requesting a trade. If he does get traded and the Hawks cite “irreconcilable differences”, he’ll have some damage control to do to his brand. More ex-teammate opinions will come out. Pressure will be him to perform. This far he’s been protected by Carroll and the media, that won’t be the case if this happens.

      • Rob Staton

        I think he wants out

        I think he has a one-track mind to success and he doesn’t see the Seahawks on the path towards it

        • Denver Hawker

          I agree, but he hasn’t directly stated he wants out. He wants to avoid criticism, and went at effort to deflect his shortcoming on the scheme, O-line, lack of superstars, etc.

          I think this trade will lay him bare in the arena and open the door for much more criticism if he’s not more successful than the Hawks.

          • Rob Staton

            Maybe. But that does come with the territory.

            And I don’t think he was ever going to state he wanted out publicly.

            • Roy Batty

              Soooo, pretty much everyone in her will be spamming their refresh button all day today and the weekend in anticipation of a trade.

              • TomLPDX

                You mean that you don’t do that already??? 😉

                Has the potential to be an exciting weekend!

                • Roy Batty

                  I’ve been abstaining since I was burned on the Clowney fiasco last year.

                  I also have a little dark corner of my mind tapping me on the brain shoulder, whispering in my brain ear that Matt, in his comment just below, might be on to something with his HC and FO take. There is a certain level of willful ignorance that has seeped into the Hawks organization over the last 5 years.

                  • TomLPDX

                    “There is a certain level of willful ignorance that has seeped into the Hawks organization over the last 5 years.”

                    Man, ain’t that the truth. I no longer say “In JS/PC we trust.” That’s the last feeling I have about them these days (years).

              • Robert

                I have been doing that already for the past 48 hours at least.

              • Matt

                I think we get resolution by Sunday evening. This can’t drag out any longer…and if it does – we have the wrong HC and Front Office. The absolute worst thing they can do is nothing.

                Either trade him or force a reconciliation and come out publicly (with an extension as well). This year by year thing will only tear this franchise down.

                • pdway

                  ‘Either trade him or force a reconciliation and come out publicly (with an extension as well). This year by year thing will only tear this franchise down.”

                  This really rings true.

    • cha

      This guy renews his notary license on a weekly basis.

      https://youtu.be/13Yd524ZbDU

    • MyChestIsBeastMode

      From the Bears fans’ perspective, I believe the hype and feeling of realistically having a shot at obtaining RW has become so big that if a trade doesn’t happen their HC and GM will be brutally lambasted for not getting it done. The coach and GM are already on the hotseat, and they’ll be handed their pink slips for nothing other than failing to make this trade when it’s clearly within reach.

      The momentum is big. I think this deal is going to happen very soon.

    • Matt

      I find myself not necessarily believing that guy but I don’t think he’s just making stuff up. It’s far too subdued and rationale to simply be an attempt to grab attention.

      I do think RW wants out. I think there is no returning to Seattle for him. His mind is made up, IMO. For those asking “well why hasn’t he just outright said it?” It’s RW – he’s not the type to go make a big, controversial proclamation outright in the media. This is about as aggressive as he gets with stuff like this.

      I think we are at the stage where the Seahawks are shopping for the best offer and working up the courage to make such a move. You might laugh at the second point, but this would be one of the biggest trades in sports history – moving a HOF QB in the middle of his prime. So, I think folks shouldn’t discount the the PR hit the Seahawks will take in this thing – and I’m sure there’s a lot of gameplanning around how to handle that.

      Yes, RW will get bad press here in Seattle…but guess what? Who cares. He would be a hero in his new city.

      • Denver Hawker

        Time will ultimately tell whether a it’s a good move or not. Brady is outside of his prime, but him winning a SB without Belechick cements his legacy as the GOAT. Pressure will be on both Pete and Russ to deliver more than ever.

  1. clbradley17

    Another excellent interview Rob. I posted about him, D. Nixon of Iowa, and a couple others early in the season when they were high on the list of TFLs. Very impressive guy and tape, especially in that he hasn’t played DE that much, and he’s got that speed and bend you want out of an edge rusher. You also pointed out how quick he was getting up and tackling the RB again after he spun away from him the first time. And that he was about the only one to beat out our future draftee OT/G Smith at the Senior Bowl. Size (6’5 3/8″, 270) and edge speed does kind of remind me of Carlos Dunlap, and he has the arm length and wingspan needed for a big Edge/DL at 35″ and 84″.

    Was also impressed Senior Bowl week by one of the best IDLs there Osa Odighizuwa, 6’2″ 280, also with a 84″ wingspan and 34 1/8″ arms. Played very good all week, about his only 1v1 losses were vs. Meinerz. And being a shorter DL with incredibly long arms like Poona, can get leverage on the OL. Man I hope we get a LOT more picks so we can draft about half the guys you’ve interviewed and a few others. Heard John Clayton say after Dunlap was released, not counting RFAs, futures contracts/practice players, etc., we only really have about 19 or so players signed for 2021. That means we need a ton of draftees, practice players, UDFAs and FAs to come in and fill out the team.

    As to your twitter link above, sounds like something could happen very soon with Russ and the Bears. Counter-offers and compromises may still need to be made, and you mentioned it seemed like the Seahawks may leak stuff about the Panthers or other teams to beat the Bears’ offer. But it definitely sounds like they are listening and taking offers, not like the Texans who are rejecting any offers for Watson.

  2. Denver Hawker

    Schneider watching Trey Lance today.

    • Rob Staton

      If I were a NFL team… I’d be there too. Because he’s a complete mystery to me. Things to like, things to hate.

    • Mick

      I think he’ll go in top 10, we’d have to trade up for him.

      • Rob Staton

        As of today, I would not expect him to go anywhere near the top-10

        • clbradley17

          He may not be the only one he’s there for. Big OT Raddunz is going to be doing drills too, same school and played well at the Senior Bowl.

  3. clbradley17

    This may not be like the previous times when he went to see Mahomes and Josh Allen, but wasn’t likely to do anything about it. If Lance looks very good and slips to about #20, we may have a draft pick in that range this time. Of course if he looks flawless, he won’t get out of the top 10.

  4. Trevor

    Turner is a really interesting prospect. What ranger do you think he will go in? Also do you view him more as a LEO or base DE?

  5. Trevor

    My prediction is that this time Monday Rob will be Planning some marathon video sessions to scout QBs in this years draft. I know he has done deep dives on Zach Wilson, Mond and Mills already. Interesting times to be sure?

    I hope some other team steps up with a legit offer besides the Bears however so the Hawks get max value. If JS does not get a serious haul of talent and picks there will be even more scrutiny and there should be.

    • Rob Staton

      The marathon video sessions have already started

      Not just this class too — been watching potential veteran targets too

      • Happy Hawk

        Take Cam Newton off that list he is resigning with the Patriots

        • Lewis

          Never should have been on the list in the first place

  6. BobbyK

    Can we still use the franchise tag on Mayowa? If we get him back, we don’t need to worry about any pass rushers in the draft.

    • dcd2

      😆

    • Simo

      He’s no superstar, but I would bring him back for nice DL and pass rush depth. Bring him back for sure if he’s willing to take $2-3m on a one year deal.

    • John_s

      Do you have any extra salt to pass over here my guy? 🙂

  7. clbradley17

    What a shame the party’s almost over. Seems like someone you’d want to keep around.
    https://www.nfl.com/photos/mind-boggling-stats-russell-wilson-0ap3000001025270

    “Wilson has the second-most passing touchdowns (267) in his first nine seasons in the NFL — trailing only Peyton Manning. He also has the fifth-most passing yards (33,946), and second-highest passer rating (101.7) for a quarterback after his first nine seasons.

    The Seahawks are 98-45-1 in Wilson’s 144 starts, as the quarterback has never missed a game in his career. Wilson also has 4,506 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns in nine seasons — ranking fourth amongst all quarterbacks in career rushing yards.”

    • BobbyK

      Those stats don’t mean anything. We can get those same results with Gale Gilbert, Jeff Kemp, Kelly Stouffer, Dan McGwire, Stan Gelbaugh, Rick Mirer, John Friesz, Jon Kitna, Flenn Foley, Brock Huard, Trent Dilfer, Charlie Frye, Seneca Wallace, Charlie Whitehurts, and Tarvaris Jackson.

      • MyChestIsBeastMode

        I remember a day when I said, “that Friesz guy looks good”.

        How far we’ve come since those days. I’m not excited to go back AND I also don’t want a QB who doesn’t want us.

        • king.

          The QB is only rejecting one thing.

  8. cha

    Adam Schefter
    @AdamSchefter
    Comp update: Patriots are finalizing a 1-year deal worth close to $14 million for Cam Newton to return to New England, per source.
    5:32 AM · Mar 12, 2021

    • charlietheunicorn

      He is going to need to tone down on new outfits per and post game

      Chump change = 14M

  9. cha

    Tom Pelissero
    @TomPelissero
    The NFL informed clubs today they will be allowed in their draft rooms for the 2021 draft, provided physical distancing and proper mask wearing are followed, per source.

    So, no “home draft” this year, though cameras will again be installed with each GM and head coach.
    8:04 AM · Mar 12, 2021

    • Sea Mode

      Whoops, I should refresh first before posting (below). 🙂

      • TomLPDX

        No harm, no foul, Sea Mode. I appreciate you posting tweets on a consistent basis and bringing relevant news to SDB.

  10. Rob Staton

    Trey Lance only 9 1/8 inch hands

    • no frickin clue

      Dave Krieg 2.0!

    • dcd2

      You know what they say about guys with small hands…

      They have a hard time gripping a wet football when it’s cold out.

  11. Rob Staton

    Creed Humphrey a good TEF score:

    Vertical- 33
    Broad Jump- 9-4

  12. Sea Mode

    Tom Pelissero
    @TomPelissero
    ·27m

    The NFL informed clubs today they will be allowed in their draft rooms for the 2021 draft, provided physical distancing and proper mask wearing are followed, per source.

    So, no “home draft” this year, though cameras will again be installed with each GM and head coach.

  13. Hoggs41

    I know the Panthers arent on the list but they could be interesting. What if we were able to get #8 and #68 this year and their firsts in 22/23 plus Burns and Chinn (probably Teddy as well)? Would the Panthers do it? Then trade Adams to Miami for #36 and #50. You would end up with this for stock. 8,36,50,56,68 in the first three rounds. You could draft Fields or Lance and let him sit behind Teddy for a year. No need to sign Dunlap as you have Burns. Could possibly get Javonte at 36 and a couple Olineman at 50 and 56 if you wanted. Would be interesting.

    • Rob Staton

      No it’s very, very unlikely

  14. cha

    Tom Pelissero
    @TomPelissero
    2021 Restricted Free Agent Tender Amounts

    1st round: $4.766 million

    2nd round: $3.384M

    Original round: $2.183M

    Right of first refusal only: $2.133M
    8:41 AM · Mar 12, 2021

    • Denver Hawker

      Really stoked for Poona likely getting a 2nd round tender (can we call them tendies?)

      He’s put in the work.

  15. JLemere

    So i don’t know what source Cowherd is using, but he just said on his show that it will take 5 1st round picks for CHI to get RW and then SEA will go and trade for Darnold from NYJ.

    • TomLPDX

      How can they get 5 1st rd picks to trade?

      • Rob Staton

        Presumably by trading Mack and Roquan

        • Ralphy

          Wow that is interesting Rob!

        • Ryan

          Wouldn’t you rather just have Mack or Smith instead of the extra picks?

          • Sea Mode

            Exactly, I’d rather have those two players.

            I suspect he means equivalent value of 5 R1 picks.

            And a R2 pick probably is plenty to snag Darnold from the Jets if Seattle wants him.

            • TomLPDX

              That was my takeaway. I’d want this year’s and next year’s R2 or R3) as well.

            • cha

              That’s where I’m tracking too. Nothing necessarily new.

              3 first round picks + Mack + some lower picks. That’s the equiv of 5 first round picks.

          • Scot04

            Yep, give me Mack, Roquan, 2021 picks 20&52, 2022 1st and a 2023 1st.
            Be tough to say no…

            • John_s

              LB’s are overrated in today’s NFL from what I understand.

              I’d rather have Jaylen Johnson

              • dcd2

                Did you see Tampa’s LB’s in the Super Bowl? They made a huge difference. LB also seems to mean more to us than many teams.

                That said, Roquan is due for a significant pay raise next year. If they could deal him for a 1st, I’d rather have the pick personally. Even if they used it on a LB, we’d probably be saving close to $15M per year going that route.

                • Scot04

                  I agree dcd2 Roquan would likely get a 1st.

                • Big Mike

                  It was sarcasm dcd2

              • Scot04

                I’d take Roquan over a 2nd. And I’d take a 2nd over Johnson. Especially if we decide to trade Wagner. I think Johnson fills a need, but Roquan is the better player. If I’m trading Wilson I want the better players. Although I’m unsure if Chicago would give up both Mack and Roquan, With three 1sts and a 2nd.
                Hoping though.

                • Rob Staton

                  I’d rather have a R2 than Roquan

                  Another soon to be expensive linebacker

                  Pass

                  • Albert Bryan Butler

                    Think PC and JS are debating this?

          • Rob Staton

            Mack, yes

        • Brik

          If they traded him on draft day they could get up to 4 first rounders. I think Cowherd mentions that. I’m guessing they would put everything in motion and say the draft goes through on day of the draft.

          • Brik

            I meant that the TRADE goes through on the day of the draft.

    • TheOtherJordan

      I don’t know if it’s the Seahawks but a team somewhere is going to look at Darnold, not yet 24, and think they can still develop him. The idea of adding Darnold, who would likely grade out athletically as equal to every QB in this draft class except Lawrence, and then drafting a QB to compete with him is very appealing. To me, it’s the cheapest option from a trade perspective with the highest possible reward. And short of getting Carr or the #1 or #2 pick in this draft, it might well be the best option for the Seahawks if they need to replace Russell Wilson.

    • Simo

      Five 1st rounders huh? Wow! Maybe they prefer getting only picks in return for RW, and no players? Or Chicago won’t include Mack and others?

      Only problem, I’m not sure the Bears can come up with 5 #1’s to trade!

      • Roy Batty

        Trade Mack (or any combo of players) for 2 firsts, then give Seattle 2021, 22 and 23 first rounders.

  16. Hoggs41

    With all these teams adding void years I wonder if the Hawks actually change there ways to gain cap space or do they stick with the way they have done it. Ive always believed in the way they have handled the cap but it may be time to change for at least this year.

    • Hawk Mock

      Was hoping they’d start the change with Dunlap.

  17. Rob Staton

    FYI people, the KJR appearance is now not happening today

    Hopefully next week

    • Trevor

      That’s too bad I was looking forward to a dose of reality being administered. Maybe next week you will be on to give your analysis of the trade.

    • cha

      That’s too bad.

      I went back and listened to the Florio interview yesterday. Dropping some truth.

    • Scot04

      Disappointing news, was looking forward to it. Although maybe they prefer to have you as a post Russ trade guest. See what your thoughts are on what they could do with their new draft capital; and or new players. Either way will be listening.

  18. JJ

    Anyone catch Cowherd…5 first round picks and more from Chicago and then Hawks go get Darnold…Super Bowl 2022 here we come!

    • Ed

      Yep, scroll up, some people including Rob talk about it. Would be interesting and think if that’s an offer, PC would be crazy to say no. He won’t let Russ cook all games all season, so Darnold or someone else can hand off 35 times and throw 20 and that’s how PC likes to win.

      Trade Wilson and Watson somewhere, would make for an interesting offseason and draft for the league. Wish the Raiders wanted Wilson more. Wilson to Raiders and Watson to Dolphins.

    • Lewis

      Sounds to me like someone deliberately feeding him info to drive up the price.

  19. SonGoku

    Rob, did you have chance to take a look at Trey Lance’s Pro Day? It was live on NFL Network, I think.

    • Rob Staton

      I did not, sorry. I will seek it out tonight

  20. BobbyK

    I can get on board with wanting Darnold at QB if Wilson is traded. He’s really been part of a crap organization and the Jets hasn’t really had any weapons at his disposal. Lets face it, once Bell got paid he wasn’t a “weapon” anymore like he had been in Pittsburgh. The receivers on the Jets are pretty bad overall as a group by NFL standards, too. They were so desperate for OL help last year that they gave Fant $10 million as well.

    If they can get 5 1st round picks from the Bears, I hope they can get Johnson. I want at least one good young player under team control. We know they can turn No. 1 draft picks into Ifedi, Penny, and Collier so the thought of actually getting someone you know is good is what I want too.

    • BobbyK

      How great of a situation would Darnold be in if he became a Seahawk? He’d have DK and his team would have a boatload of draft picks to improve the overall team. He’d definitely be in a position to shine. If Pete actually gets a LG and RB in the draft, he wouldn’t be asked to do too much either. Yes – I can get behind Darnold as our next QB.

      • BobbyK

        One nice thing about Darnold is that he’s still young and has potential, but you don’t have to worry about stereotypical rookie mistakes either. Even though he’s been stuck on the Jets, he still has three years of the NFL under his belt. That’s a lot more comforting going into a season than having a guy like Mills with limited collegiate experience. And if you wanted to draft Mills – he can sit and develop, too.

        • Ukhawk

          I like Darnold too. 2 years at ~10mm avg if 5th year is done.

          He’s #1 in nfl accuracy in short to intermediate routes

          Think he’d be tailormade for the new OC and is very mobile

          Would draft Mills alongside him

      • Happy Hawk

        But what is lost here is that he is 3 years into his rookie deal and the decision to pick up his option looms. If we are tanking ( RW, Wagner, Adams, Dunlap, Carson, KJ, Griffen etc.) then Darnold would not be my first choice. I think people are forgetting that losing a HOF QB in his prime has never happened in NFL history for a reason. Sounds like RW is moving on so drop the pretenses and prepare for what comes: no high draft pick this year, awful QB class next year, veteran FA getting scooped up leaving bottom feeders left, and the toughest division in the NFL the NFC West all equals a total rebuild.

        • Trevor

          Having this HOF QB has resulted in 2 playoff wins in the last 5 years since Russ signed his first big deal and became the face of the franchise. With him they are a 10-6 team that makes the playoffs and loses in the first or second round with no legit shot at an SB. The last 5 years have proved it. Now they have less draft capital or cap space than anytime in those previous 5 years and the QB is whining and complaining about the organization and team mates.

          So you would prefer they keep Russ and continue on this path of mediocrity with the HOF QB that takes up 20% of the cap?

          • Happy Hawk

            It is a mute point because it looks like Wilson and his 10-12 wins each season will be gone but How playoff wins many did:
            Brees get?
            Big Ben?
            D Watson?
            L jackson?
            M Stafford?
            Dak?
            Rodgers?

          • Albert Bryan Butler

            You have just described Dan Marino’s entire career.

        • BobbyK

          How do you put up the white flag and surrender to a total rebuild when you don’t even own your #1 pick the following year?

          Generally if a team is going to tank, they do so with the understanding there’s something in it for them (like a high draft pick).

          • Mike

            Its absolutely the worst case scenario, yes. If..when Russ leaves, this franchise is gonna be rebuilding for the rest of PC’s tenure.

            So you gotta think PC is gonna have to reckon with that. Or pull a historically large haul.

            • BobbyK

              “It’s absolutely the worst case scenario.” Yes!

              This RW deal had better make the Hershel Walker deal look like scraps.

      • Trevor

        Agree 100% Bobby as long as they can get him for a reasonable price he would be the best chance at hitting a home run with a replacement for Russ. I was a big fan of his coming out and the Jets have not put a lick of talent around him.

        • Cawww

          I really disagree with this, he has always turned the ball over way too much.

          In his final year at USC he had 22 turnovers (2nd most in College Football).

          I know the Jets are a tire fire, but in 36 games in the NFL he has a 45/39 TD/INT ratio.

          • Cawww

            Oops accidentally posted too soon. I was going to say that as much as it would pain me as a UW fan/alum, I’d rather trade for Minshew than Darnold.

          • BobbyK

            TD/INT ratio definitely a cause for concern. Nobody is going to trade a really good QB though. Franchise QBs are gold and that’s why nobody in NFL history has been dumb enough to trade one in the prime of their careers. I’m not a fan of trading RW by any stretch of the imagination! I’m just saying if they do, what’s the best option(s) of the crap options we have?

            • Rob4q

              So then trade for both Darnold and Minshew, draft Mond and let them all compete for the job! Take as many shots as necessary to find the next QB!

              • BobbyK

                Or keep the one you have so you don’t have to pour resources into unknowns.

                • Rob4q

                  But we are assuming Russ is done and so are the Seahawks…if there is a way to salvage the marriage and keep Russ happy, sure. But at this point it’s really pointing towards a separation.

                  And honestly, I go back to last season when they were 5-0 and playing in Arizona. Offense was humming along until Russ threw the pick Baker almost took back to the house. I don’t think he looked the same at any point in the year after that. And that was a horrible, soft throw without even looking to see where the saftety was…not a throw your future HOF QB should ever make. He then threw another horrible int later in that game as well as missing on a couple deep shots that were bad throws.

                  I’m not sure what caused Russ to look so off after that point, but there could be a little bit of him feeling like he had to do everyting because of how bad the defense was. But I just don’t remember him having a “great” game after that one…

                  • Brik

                    If Russ wants all the attention then he should love the opportunity to have it all on his shoulders. He shouldn’t fall apart when he’s asked to do everything. He talks like he’s the best in the league, he should back that up all the time.

                  • Albert Bryan Butler

                    “Salvage the marriage” is an interesting metaphor, considering Russ divorced his wife right after we won the Superbowl.

  21. Trevor

    What do you think would be a better scenario for the Hawks with idea of winning and SB in the next 3-4 years.

    Option #1 Roll with Russ and try to make him happy by signing Linsley and another Vet LG.

    Option #2 Trade Russ to the Bears for (5) 1st Round Picks, Jaylon Johnston and trading for Darnold at QB.

    With Option #2 they could still sign Linsley at C, and use the extra draft capital this year on Najee Harris at RB, TE Brevin Jordan , Ben Cleveland at G and Rondell Moore at WR

    That would leave a 2021 Starting Offense

    QB-Darnold
    RB Najee Harris, Penny
    TE Dissly, Brevin Jordan
    WR DK, Locket, Moore
    OL Brown, Cleveland, Linsley, Lewis, Shell

    IMO that group would have the potential to be a top 10 offense even without Russ

    • dcd2

      I’d go a completely different way with the draft picks, but one thing is certain. Option 2 would make for a much more interesting SDB.

    • Jordan

      It’s tough to say, really.

      The NFC champion has been a different team every single season since the Hawks went back to back. Eventually, as Brady and Rodgers exit the scene over the coming years, you have to believe it’ll be whatever team Russ is on breaking through again. There really is no powerhouse in this conference, if Philly, Atlanta and Carolina can have single season lightning in a bottle then a Russ’ team certainly can as well.

    • Volume12

      5 1st round picks is absolutely insane. That gives Seattle enough ammo to do whatever they want.

      • TomLPDX

        Don’t worry, they’d manage to screw it up and basically waste all of those picks.

    • Rushless pass

      I’d really like more than Moore as our #3

      Had to fit that in

    • Scot04

      I preferred an option similar to Rob’s when it looked possible to keep Wilson. Now that it looks like Wilson is gone; if I’m picking from those 3, I’ll take #2. I prefer Javonte over Najee though.

  22. BobbyK

    Darnold is going to need a stud veteran C (Mack or Linsley) and a high impact starter at LG. Probably someone they take in the 2nd round. Then he’s going to need a RB like Williams. This will allow the Hawks to run an offense the way Pete wants… run the ball, run the ball, and when defenses commit to stopping the run, they’re going to get DK/Lockett splash plays because no defense can commit to stopping the run and taking away the deep pass, too. They’re going to have to give something. Do they want a slow death or a quick strike death. But both can’t be achieved without adding quality at RB, LG, and C.

  23. cha

    Adam Schefter
    @AdamSchefter
    Patrick Mahomes pending contract restructure that will save the Chiefs about $17 million against the cap will allow KC to do some free-agent shopping….

    • Denver Hawker

      So on the same day, the two SB quarterbacks restructure their deals to free cap room to sign guys and try to win. Brees consistently did the same.

      Meanwhile Russ is tired of not having enough support and suggests trade destinations.

      I’m not saying he doesn’t deserve to be paid well, and restructures are only deferring cap hits not cash. However, I’m sure the gesture is seen as an act of selfless leadership in the locker room and will help the Bucs and Chiefs improve chances of getting back the SB.

      • Volume12

        He’s being a little b***h about this. Let’s keep it a buck.

        • Denver Hawker

          I was trying to be a bit more diplomatic, but your statement is fact.

        • John_s

          Preach brotha

        • CaptainJack

          Well… can’t argue with that.

      • Roy Batty

        Didn’t Russ restructure to get Brown at LT?

      • cha

        Well first off, he’s reworked his contract to help the team in the past.

        Second, he’s agreed to do it again anytime the Seahawks want. According to Joel Corry, the Seahawks worked the ability to restructure RW’s contract to create cap room into his last extension. This isn’t RW being unwilling to work with the Seahawks.

        Thirdly, the Seahawks spent an equivalent of a Jack Conklin on Branden Jackson, BJ Finney, Jacob Hollister and Phillip Dorsett.

        And an Alex Mack on Greg Olsen and Cedric Ogbuehi.

        And passed on a chance to get a future tackle or a dynamic 3rd WR in order to trade up for a busted pass rusher.

        • Rik

          This.

        • TomLPDX

          I don’t think the Seahawks need Russ’s permission to rework his contract. I thought I read that here a few months ago.

          • cha

            They don’t

        • John_s

          I wouldn’t want to make it out like Russ did Seattle some huge fave by agreeing to the automatic restructure clause. This just means he gets more money up front with the restructure. It’s dollars and sense. It’s like people saying why did Deshaun agree to a new contract with Houston if he wanted to be traded a few months later…..you gotta secure that bag

          • cha

            It’s a bigger favor than agreeing to a restructure when it’s not in the contract, that is for sure. And it is something the Seahawks negotiated into the deal, so they valued it as well.

            Russ would have absolutely been within his rights to not have it in his deal AND say no to any restructure. It is a concession on his part.

            It’s not unlike the no-trade clause. It isn’t worth much until you have to use it.

            I know no one wants to hear this, but I have an Accounting background so…there could also be large tax consequences to getting a lump sum of money up front as a bonus instead of salary in equal checks. Some states hammer bonus wages. Oh you got a bonus? Guess what? The gov’t gets a bonus too.

            • Martin

              I want to hear it CBA. It’s all helping me understand the overall picture – so thanks.

        • Cortez Kennedy

          Preach

          Meanwhile, Pete Carroll keeps meddling in the offense when he can’t even figure out how to improve the defense in three damn seasons, gutted resources just to field 2020’s crapshow.

          • TomLPDX

            …and banking it all on a defensive player that doesn’t even play in Pete’s scheme.

  24. Rhawk

    I would be fine with either if #1 included Rob’s plan of trading Adams and gaining picks. Give me cleveland at lg and a dynamic #3 threat for Russ.

    I just want us to get back to being fun to watch. Make us the bullies on the block or at least bring back our fricking home field advantage

  25. Rob4q

    Three way trade with the Bears & Jets to solve everyone’s problems!

    CHI get
    Russell Wilson QB (SEA), Josh Doctson WR (NYJ), CJ Mosley LB (NYJ), 2022 5th (NYJ)

    NYJ get
    2022 2nd (CHI), 2022 3rd (CHI), Rasheem Green DE (SEA), Joel Iyiegbuniwe LB (CHI)

    SEA get
    Khalil Mack LB (CHI), Riley Ridley WR (CHI), Trevis Gipson EDGE (CHI), Sam Darnold QB (NYJ)
    2021 1st #20
    2021 2nd #52
    2021 3rd #83
    2022 CHI 1st
    2023 CHI 1st
    That’s five 1st round picks (three picks + Mack, Darnold), a 2nd, a 3rd, and two other players

    SEA then drafts + trades:

    42. Javonte Williams, RB North Carolina
    52. D’Ante Smith, OT East Carolina
    56. Quinn Meinerz, OC Wisconsin-Whitewater
    76. Benjamin St-Juste, CB Minnesota
    83. Marquez Stevenson, WR Houston
    94. Ben Cleveland, OG Georgia
    129. Darius Stills, DT West Virginia
    167. Erroll Thompson, LB Mississippi State
    206. Nick Eubanks, TE Michigan

    2022 KC 5th

    • Rob Staton

      Well, it’s probably the most realistic three-team scenario I’ve seen so far

  26. Mike

    Hey Rob, if Wilson goes to Da Bears, do you think they’d throw in one of their corners to sweeten the deal?

    Either kyle fuller or jaylon johnson? Fuller is established but costs a fair bit. Jaylon looks promising and has a lot left on his rookie contract.

    Just curious who outside of Khalil may be thrown into a trade.

    • Rob Staton

      Maybe — but I’m kind of worried about outside corners.

      Give me Sherm and a rookie

      • Mike

        I agree with Sherm for sure. Especially if we can pair him with some young talent. I kinda think Jaylon would be a good add so you aren’t forced to reach for a CB in the draft out of desperation. He’s young and cheap. Sub 32 inch arms though. Add in a rookie we draft and you now have depth and competition.

        There’s a lot of holes, so if we can plug at least a few in the trade that’s something.

        • Hoggs41

          No thanks on Fuller but JJ would be good as he is knly one year into his career.

  27. BoiseSeahawk

    Is there a realistic way we could trade Russ and end up with Zach Wilson?
    Seems he is destined to go to the jets but I can’t help but wonder if they go with Penei Sewel and try to protect Darnold better.

    Dolphins have Tua…could trade Russ to ATL?

    • Rob Staton

      By all accounts it seems the Jets are moving on from Darnold. I don’t see any way to get Zach Wilson

      • Happy Hawk

        No QB who threw for at least 110 passes had a worst QB rating than Darnold in 2020. he is the 36 ranked QB in the league and moving on doesn’t surprise me.

        • BoiseSeahawk

          Who was the bigger bust then between Sam Darnold and Josh Rosen?

          • TomLPDX

            Darnold. Rosen was thrown to the wolves and never had a chance no matter where he went. I have no idea how good or bad Rosen is.

            • Rob Staton

              No way is Darnold the bigger bust

              Rosen was dumped after one year by two teams who spent a first and second round pick on him. He’s had four teams in three years, including spells on a practise squad

              He’s a titanic bust

              • Albert Bryan Butler

                That stint on a practice squad got him in the film room with Tom Brady.

  28. Volume12

    Big fan of Payton Turner’s potential. Good size, great length, excellent movement skills & COD for a guy his size. He’d be a damn good fit on Seattle’s D-line.

  29. cha

    Brady Henderson
    @BradyHenderson
    Replying to
    @BradyHenderson
    I’m told another exclusive rights free agent that the Seahawks have tendered is defensive back Ryan Neal. That was also expected. Neal made four starts last season while Jamal Adams was hurt and had two interceptions, one of which sealed a win over Dallas.
    12:15 PM · Mar 12, 2021

  30. cha

    Brady Henderson
    @BradyHenderson
    I’m told the Seahawks are not tendering guard Jordan Simmons, a restricted free agent. He could be back with Seattle, but it won’t be on an RFA tender. Simmons started six games last season and split time at left guard with Mike Iupati, who just retired.
    11:40 AM · Mar 12, 2021

  31. Rob Staton

    Watching the Trey Lance pro-day.

    My god, the NFL Network misses Mayock.

    Was like a state sponsored broadcast

    • Rob Staton

      At one point they showed a close up to praise his footwork and he’s on his toes. At one point they show an example of a throw to the sideline with anticipation — and he throws a second and a half after the receiver has made his break.

      • Rob Staton

        Too many balls on the floor. Accuracy was inconsistent

        • Rob Staton

          I’ve now watched every throw of Trey Lance’s pro-day.

          It was hit and miss. More miss if I’m being honest. Physically he looks terrific. He was in amazing shape, he can throw with velocity and there were a couple of ‘wow’ moments.

          But so many passes hit the turf, his accuracy was very inconsistent — either missing completely or throwing too high/behind. To me he looked like a physical project with technical deficiencies that need fixing. He needs a lot of work. He’s just traits.

          • ElPasoHawk

            Late first – early second, or do you think someone gets enamored with the physical traits and pick him in first 10 to 15?

            • Rob Staton

              I think that’s what he is. Late first or second round.

              Could someone take him earlier? Sure. Someone took EJ Manuel and Christian Ponder in the top-20.

              • ElPasoHawk

                Thanks for taking the time to give us your assessment! Can’t wait to see your piece on our options after you’ve done your deep dive. After the disappointment of seeing this divorce it’ll give us something to look forward to. Hopefully we get enough to stay competitive and will have some quality young guys to pin our hopes on. They’ve gotta get a haul and turn it into the next Sherman, Beast mode, etc.

          • Rob Staton

            Somehow… Matt Miller (who has never delivered any draft insight of any significance) is now an ‘ESPN draft analyst’.

            And he compared Trey Lance to Lamar Jackson on the TV today.

            He is nothing like Lamar Jackson.

            • Albert Bryan Butler

              I used to write fo him at NFL Draft Blitz. He’s bad about deadlines too.

          • JLemere

            So more like T-Jack than RW. So I guess the question is then do you trust Waldron and Canales on QB development?

            • Rob Staton

              Well Tarvaris Jackson isn’t the comparison that immediately springs to mind, no

  32. dand393

    Haven’t got to see anything from lance’s pro day but I’m guessing he’s dropping on draft boards if he’s got small hands and not having a great pro day

  33. pdway

    Apologies if this has been covered on here already – but can someone who knows explain to me how the ‘void years’ concept works w/r/t the cap?

    • jed

      It’s essentially a way to lower a cap hit in the short term, while creating a larger cap hit later. Teams are doing this so they can fit a player under the lower cap in 2021 and then take a cap hit a few years down the road when they expect the cap to go up.

      For example, player A gets a $20 million signing bonus for a 5 year contract that voids after the start of the 2023 league year. The signing bonus salary cap hit for 2021 & 2022 would be $4 million for each year. The cap hit for the 2023 would be $12 million and the player would be a free agent.

    • cha

      A very basic explanation…

      So when a player gets a signing bonus teams can spread the cap hit for the bonus money for the life of the contract. A 4 year contract with a $40m signing bonus = a $10m cap hit per year for the bonus money.

      The dead cap hit (just for the bonus money) starts at $40m the first year and decreases by $10m each year.

      Void years are “fake years” that teams can tack onto the contract to allow the team to spread out “new” bonus money even further, even beyond the life of the contract. It gives them cap relief now by pushing money into future years.

      So teams take salary, convert them to a bonus (so the player gets a big check up front instead of 17 game checks) and add void years to the contract to spread out that bonus money, effectively lowering their cap hit.

      So in the example above, forget about the initial signing bonus money. Let’s say in year 3 the player has $20million in salary due that year, but the team needs room. They can convert as much as $18million or so (basically the difference between the veteran minimum and what they are contracted to get) of that salary into bonus money.

      The team then tacks say two void years onto the deal with just that prorated bonus money on them.

      So the player has 2 years left on his original 4 year contract, and has 2 years added.

      So his 3rd year cap hit is reduced by $11.5million ($18m bonus conversion/4 years + his leftover minimum salary).

      The 4th year cap hit is now $4.5m higher (so $14.5m of bonus proration: $10m original bonus + $4.5 new bonus + whatever salary is guaranteed, usually $0 in the 4th year of a standard deal).

      The new 5th year has no salary and $4.5m of prorated bonus money and a $9m dead cap hit.

      The new 6th year has no salary and $4.5m of prorated bonus money and a $4.5m dead cap hit.

      If that player has run their course in the 4 years, you’re basically hitting your cap with $4.5m a year for 2 years after he’s off the roster. And if he gets hurt, traded, retires, etc BEFORE the 4 years are up? Too bad, it’s take a big dead cap hit or just ride it out for the next 3 seasons.

      You’re going to see a lot more of them this year, as teams borrow from the 2022 cap and beyond to subsidize their rosters in 2021.

      • cha

        Sorry 3rd year cap hit is reduced by $13.5m ($20m – $18m bonus conversion + $4.5m first year proration)

        Numbers is hard.

      • pdway

        Hey – thanks to you both. Got it.

        So for something like the Brady deal – those cap hits will be paid out for years he’s likely in retirement (though I guess who knows), but hopefully within the space of a much bigger cap than ’21. It’s a little risky of course, b/c as the cap goes up, salaries are very likely to expand right into them. But the best of the cap experts seem to find ways around those burdens every time.

  34. Gohawks5151

    Did you say what time and on which radio station you’ll be on today Rob?

    • Rob Staton

      It’s been pulled, not happening I’m afraid

      • Gohawks5151

        That sucks. Sorry dude

        • bmseattle

          I was really looking forward to it, as well.
          I hope they reach out to you again soon.

  35. cha

    My goodness. It just dawned on me.

    If the Seahawks trade Russell Wilson this offseason, it will be the third offseason in a row they’ve traded away a huge asset.

    *2019-Frank Clark
    *2020-a package of 2 first round picks, a third and a starting caliber player

    Think on that. A pass rusher, a pack of the highest picks, and a franchise QB. The only other roster asset that comes even close to those three things is a franchise Left Tackle.

    And the Seahawks will have traded them away.

    • Rob Staton

      Incredible

      • Roy Batty

        And the band played on…

    • ElPasoHawk

      I need a beer, how depressing.

    • Mick

      Next year Metcalf to finish the job.

      • Roy Batty

        I wondered, at the time, how much DK’s sideline tantrum was directed at Russ?

        • J.P.

          Don’t think it was, but I fear he might resent Russ with time similar to Baldwin who realized that he didn’t seem to like playing Russball as the years went on.

          Lockett has been a godsend really. It’s why I think you end up trading Metcalf at some point instead of making him the highest paid receiver, and hope you can draft a couple of Locketts in the second round. This year, next year, I dunno, but I could see him traded.

          • TomLPDX

            I honestly don’t see the Seahawks paying DK top WR money. It’s not what they do. Trade him for some good capital and move on.

    • Sean

      So maybe we should trade Duane Brown for a LB.

      • Big Mike

        No need, Pete will take another one in round one.

    • Cortez Kennedy

      Clark = Collier, Lewis, Robinson
      The Farm = a glorified linebacker who will want $20 million per year
      Wilson= ???

  36. Rob Staton

    Dillon Radunz 3.04 TEF score

    • Sea Mode

      You were underwhelmed with his Sr. Bowl performance though, right? (or is that still undecided since they never released the full practice footage Jim promised?)

      • Rob Staton

        I thought he looked like a guard.

  37. Sea Mode

    Duane Brown way up there in pass block win rate:

    https://twitter.com/SethWalder/status/1370495009523445766

  38. JJ

    Rob,

    Have you looked at Jamie Newman?

    • Rob Staton

      Yes. Wouldn’t draft him.

  39. Rob Staton

    A thought on all this five R1 picks/Sam Darnold stuff.

    I don’t think the Seahawks want to make a trade, then get into a bidding war for another QB and lose some/a lot of the stock they just acquired.

    I think they are pushing the Bears or whoever to deliver a package that comes with a QB and a good player.

    So it would/could be three R1’s, Mack and Darnold.

    Which would mean getting the Jets involved in some way.

    I’m just not sure how or why the Jets would do that unless they got an outstanding deal. Otherwise they might as well wait this out.

    And an outstanding deal would only weaken whatever Seattle gets — unless NYJ are willing to do a straight swap for someone (but who?).

    Tricky, complicated but that’s what I think Seattle’s position might be.

    • Simo

      If in fact the Jets are moving off of Sam Darnold, as you suggested, can’t the Hawks just work out a separate trade with them at the same time they pull the trigger on a RW trade? Or do you think the Jets are on to this and plan on holding out for far more than Darnold is actually worth? Didn’t you think his value was about a R2 and an R4 pick?

      • Rob Staton

        Possibly, yes. But what happens if the Niners get involved and offer #43?

        Are you trading #20 for him? I’d suggest not. So then you start giving up the stock you’ve acquired.

        Get him in the Bears deal and you don’t have to negotiate and you can keep your stock

    • Von

      Isn’t the price for Darnold generally accepted to be a 2nd round pick? So Chicago throws in a 2nd to the Jets and we acquire 3 1’s, Mack and Darnold? I still don’t think it’s enough, but I wouldn’t mind it.

      • Rob Staton

        But the Seahawks might want that R2 to spend themselves… they might want Darnold as an extra

        They might be challenging the Bears to find a way to include Darnold that doesn’t impact what they expect to get in return. That’s the price for trading in the NFC and only getting #20 (which would still be a great pick IMO)

        • Von

          Another thing that I haven’t seen mentioned anywhere.

          What if they hired Waldron because they are aware that that system has been to the SB 2 of the last 3 years w/ average QB’sb I know it’s been said that Russ signed off on the deal but I’ve never seem a direct quote. I could be wrong. Darnold, at his draft, seemed like a more athletic and better arm talent than either Goff or Jimmy. Is it possible Waldron was hired with the Russ trade in mind? Just a thought.

          • Rob Staton

            I don’t think so. The appointment was made before this kicked off and numerous reports have suggested it caught Seattle off guard.

        • Scot04

          So Rob is this your scenario?
          Seahawks could get Mack,Darnold, 2021 picks 20&52, 2022 1st, 2023 1st
          Chicago gets Wilson
          Jets get Chicago’s 2022 2nd

          • Rob Staton

            I don’t think the Jets will accept that unless nobody is offering them a R2 this year for Darnold

    • TheOtherJordan

      So the issue is what if the Texans want Darnold as part of the Watson trade package? I get if this is their position and it makes perfect sense. The problem is it makes it much more difficult to make the trade happen. The Jets, purportedly, don’t want Wilson. They want Watson. So if this is the Seahawks position, either you got to hope Houston has no interest in Darnold or Russell Wilson is fine playing in Houston which seems unlikely. If you’re the Jets don’t you hold onto all of your trade chips until you know for sure you can’t get Watson.

      • Rob Staton

        If the Texans trade with the Jets it involves #2 and they’re taking Zach Wilson

        • TheOtherJordan

          Granted. But what if the Texans strategy would be the same as Seattle’s? A veteran competing with a rookie. Bring in Darnold and Zach Wilson which allows you to not force or rush anything with Wilson. The Texans feel they are giving up a superior asset than Russell and Seattle wants 5 first round picks for Russell. The Jets are gonna need everything they got. That may include Darnold, it may not. But why would you trade him away before you’ve heard what Houston would need. They may see Darnold as a huge piece of compensation. Two QB’s give us a better chance of not looking foolish trading Watson.

          • Rob Staton

            If you draft Zach Wilson at #2 you’re not adding Sam Darnold to be the veteran competition. You sign a bridge.

  40. Rob Staton

    I’m watching Sam Darnold all-22 vs Seattle.

    First throw targets (and beats) Jamal Adams in coverage

    • Rob Staton

      I’m five plays in and now Adams is washed out on a run.

      Kam he aint

      • Robbie

        LOL you’re focusing on the wrong player Rob!!!!!!

        • Rob Staton

          If they pay Jamal Adams $18m a year to play this defense, they are out of their minds

    • Rob Staton

      Watching this is killing me

      They blitz Adams as a free runner off the edge, play man coverage and have Quandre Diggs protect the post

      It leaves DJ Reed isolated with their top receiver with no help. They send both linebackers up the middle as they did all year to try and create opportunities for Jamal. It leaves 15 yards of space underneath for Darnold to throw a comeback. Reed has no chance. I could’ve thrown that. If Adams doesn’t get home you’re screwed. That’s the play.

      • TomLPDX

        Why go through the pain and angst? Pete is not getting rid of Adams and we are stuck with him and getting him schemed in our defense to the team’s detriment. As far as I’m concerned the D is done with Adams a part of it. So much for our defensive-minded guru coach. All of a sudden it is dependent on one player.

        • Rob Staton

          Because I’m watching Darnold All-22 vs Seattle and Adams keeps doing bad things

      • Rob Staton

        Adams drops the easiest interception of the 2020 season. Awful throw/decision by Darnold

        • bmseattle

          I’m at the point where what they do regarding Adams is going to be the ultimate statement on the future of this team. (Wilson trade aside, obviously).

          The running narrative has always been that Pete/John are quick to admit mistakes and move on from players when it’s clear it’s not working out, regardless of how it “looks”.

          If they insist on keeping/paying Adams, despite his obvious lack of fit on this defense, and his lack of elite skills, it will be a huge indictment.

          Trading him is essential, imo.

          • Hoggs41

            Adams has hands of stone snd needs to spend some time at the juggs machine.

          • Rob Staton

            I think they need to move on

  41. TomLPDX

    Why are we all of a sudden fixated on Darnold?

    • Rob Staton

      Because they were linked to him by Cowherd today

      • TomLPDX

        Ok, so I went and found that segment and listened to it. Pete Carrol said stuff about Darnold, during the season and before their game with the Jets, that were complimentary…gee, where have I heard that a gazillion times before from an opposing coach about their opponents QB/WR/RB/D/whatever. Darnold is a turnover machine, just the opposite of what Pete preaches. Can you fix? maybe.

        I’d rather bring in Alex Smith or Fitzmagic or some other half-decent QB, draft someone like Mond or better and go from there….not Darnold.

        • Rob Staton

          I’m not saying I want Darnold

          But Colin typically doesn’t pluck stuff like this out of thin air

        • BobbyK

          Alex Smith is a better QB than Sam Darnold. But Darnold has something that guys like Smith and Dalton don’t… potential to be good. And Fitzmagic is only a year younger than Philip Rivers who recently retired because he’s old and washed up.

          Darnold has had zero talent, for the most part, to work with in the NFL. He’s never had anything close to a guy like DK. Working under Adam Gase for a couple years basically gave him no chance to be successful – especially when he had no weapons at his disposal.

          I’m not saying Darnold is good, I’m just saying he has a chance to be better than most of these “also ran” QBs that can’t hold a candle to Wilson.

          And maybe a guy with Darnold’s turnover history would be perfect for a guy like Pete. Pete could coach that out of him. I may be grasping at straws here, but you never know. I don’t want Wilson gone, but we have to be ready not to have a franchise QB around anymore either.

          • TomLPDX

            I hear you Bobby, I don’t want any of this either but here we are. I’m concerned for my team and lack of leadership from the HC. Can Darnold move this team forward? I honestly don’t know, but his record so far hasn’t been that great. Pete cares about turnovers (hence the second half of the season and Russ going on simmer) so if it is fixable then go for it…otherwise why waste yet another year or two trying to fix something that can’t be fixed.

            • Rob Staton

              Sam Darnold isn’t Peyton Manning

              But it’s worth remembering that Manning had 58 interceptions in his first three seasons in the NFL and 100 interceptions in his first five seasons.

              100 interceptions.

              • TomLPDX

                I got you, Rob. I’m just frustrated with Pete and the whole thing…

                • BobbyK

                  We all are. It’s okay. It sucks. As fans, we’re all in this together. Darnold will be okay, imo. But not franchise QB okay. That’s a rare thing, but if the Hawks can hit on all these picks – it’s possible some good can happen yet, too.

              • Sea Mode

                100? Wow.

      • dcd2

        Isn’t Cowherd a Darnold fanboy? Seems like he’s always gushing over him. The “USC connection” seems pretty flimsy.

        I look at Darnold’s game log (including against us last year) and don’t get the allure. He’s had 3 years to show something and it’s basically been 1:1 TD/INT.

        If this thing has any legs, I hope your review of Sam’s tape turns up some positives.

        • Hoggs41

          He has also played for a sorry franchise as well. Would be interesting to see him with a quality franchise.

          • dcd2

            That’s fair. And no one is more detrimental to a players success than Adam Gase

          • Big Mike

            Quality franchise? Yeah maybe the Saints trade for him if they don’t get Russ.

        • Rob Staton

          He likes Darnold, yes.

          But I can envisage a scenario where the Seahawks think having him and a bunch of stock is the best scenario to proceed in 2021

          My initial tape watch through (vs Seahawks, Rams — all-22) is that the offense did him no favours. It was so limited and basic. No weapons. Didn’t see anyone winning.

          Some good throws some poor throws.

          Don’t think he’ll elevate a franchise on his own to greatness but I don’t think he’s hopeless either

          • BobbyK

            Looks like we are one in the same with our thoughts about him.

          • dcd2

            Gase is a truly terrible coach, so I guess I’m not surprised. Pound that rock frank gore!

            Would you rather have Darnold or a vet and Mond?

            I guess you could take darnold and mond, but doesn’t that work out to two 2’s from our ‘haul’?

            • TomLPDX

              I want a vet plus Mond

            • Rob Staton

              Well let’s put it this way, in my next mock Kellen Mond won’t be available

              • TomLPDX

                Not at 20?

  42. king.

    Vegas took the trade off the board, as well as some future’s odds. That typically happens when a trade is imminent.

    The Bears are desperate and offering a king’s ransom.

    Seattle wants to be rid of Wilson.

    Why isn’t the deal already done?

    • Rob Staton

      My hunch is the Seahawks have tried to get the Carolina’s etc involved and it hasn’t worked. Now they’re trying to find a way for Chicago to give them a deal which includes a QB (Darnold).

      And if they don’t pull it off, well maybe they take a modified deal from Chicago.

      But I still insist by Sunday they need to know where they’re going.

  43. Forrest

    Why isn’t anyone talking about Roquan Smith?

    Mack, Smith, three 1st and two 2nd

    • Scot04

      I have. I like that trade. Even with just 1 2nd this year

      • Scot04

        I think others prefer a corner over the LB

        • Hoggs41

          No need for Roquan unless you trade Bobby. Some like Jaylen Johnson.

    • Rob Staton

      I have no interest in another linebacker, especially one who needs to be paid soon

      • ElPasoHawk

        What about if Hawks trade Wagner to Jets for Sam Darnold and a mid round pick. Then it makes sense to ask for Smith unless the thought is you can get an equivalent player in 2nd round.

        • Sea Mode

          I like that idea.

          Zack Pearson
          @Zack_Pearson
          · Jan 8

          I’ll leave this here:

          Roquan Smith — 139 total tackles, 18 TFL, 4 sacks, 2 INT.

          Your 2020 All-Pro’s:
          Fred Warner — 125 tackles, 5 TFL, 1 sack, 2 INT.
          Darious Leonard — 132 tackles, 7 TFL, 3 sacks, 0 INT.
          Bobby Wagner — 138 tackles, 7 TFL, 3 sacks, 0 INT.

          • Denver Hawker

            Why is his PFF grade a 67?

      • dcd2

        That’s my biggest issue. You’re going to have to pay him or let him walk next year. No more of this rental business. Clowney, Adams, Richardson… here today, gone tomorrow because they were too expensive.

        If they want to give Roquan, then have them work that into the NYJ deal (if that truly is the path). Get Darnold and draft Browning or Collins if you are letting KJ go and have no faith in Barton. Better yet, Bobby stays at Mike for one more year, Brooks at Will and Rumph/FA doing the SAM/LEO role.

        • Rob Staton

          It’s not a rental if you don’t pay anything for him.

          It’s simply called seeing if he can be the answer.

          I’m not interested in another high pick at LB. That needs to stop. Rumph to me has to play 3-4 OLB only. Better in space and having the option to drop. Not someone I want having to set an edge.

          • dcd2

            You’re paying in trade value though, right?

            If you can have a 2nd instead of Roquan then, you ‘pay’ a 2nd round pick to have him for a year and decide if you want to give him a massive contract.

            Appreciate your thoughts on Rumph. It’s a good point, in that he’s too light to set the edge. I picture him as more of a SAM/LEO. Maybe he’s situational or just a better fit for a 3-4 indeed. Seems like you could do some fun stuff with Jamal and a guy like him, where the offense didn’t know who was coming (neither/one/both) on a given down.

            • Rob Staton

              That doesn’t sound very fun to me. I just want us to rush with four great linemen again

              I don’t want to waste a second on a trial for Roquan Smith. Hard pass

        • ElPasoHawk

          I don’t understand the argument. Bobby = 18 mil this year and you have an opportunity to resign or tag Smith after a cheap year and still be saving money over Bobby. No way ANY LB gets 18 mil in the near future.

          • Rob Staton

            I wouldn’t be so sure about that when the gambling money comes in.

            But even so, I wouldn’t want to be paying $15m either.

            • TomLPDX

              I think gambling money is going to blow TV money out of the water.

          • dcd2

            I think Bobby will be ridiculously overpaid for what he brings. I feel the same about Roquan starting next year. The article that Rob wrote about TE a couple of weeks ago is my POV on LB. I think you get young, athletic LB on cheap deals instead of trying to piece meal a FA approach.

            I’d make a friendly wager that Roquan gets at least a $15M/yr deal next year, regardless of who the team is. The only way he doesn’t, as a stud 25 yr old, is if he goes mental or gets seriously hurt. Which of these scenarios is most appealing? Expensive, in trouble or injured?

            You could say that about any position, but we KNOW he’s out of contract next year, and I think that LB is not a position to go old or expensive on, if you can help it. He’s gonna be expensive.

  44. charlietheunicorn

    “5 x 1st rd picks” for RW

    Hum, this is beginning to look like the Hershel Walker trade territory if this came to pass.

  45. D-OZ

    Is this a PC and USC Darnold thing? As scary as that sounds,it may come to fruition…Bow down…

    • Rob Staton

      I don’t think the USC connection is anything more than a coincidence

      Darnold was the #3 pick three years ago. A lot of teams thought he was the top quarterback in the draft

      Pete doesn’t favour USC guys. He passes on them all the time, including his own former players

      • BobbyK

        Started early by passing on Taylor Mays in the draft and getting rid of Lawrence Jackson.

        • IHeartTacoma

          Lendale White too

  46. Noah Reandeau

    NO to Darnold! Don’t waste ANY picks on a temporary or retread QB.

    After getting Roquan Smith, trade Bobby Wagner.

    Trade Adams for a pick and get Keanu Neal for less money.

    Trade Lockett for a pick and get me Golladay. No way we pay Lockett big money next year. Two big targets give any QB options. Then get a #3 speedster later in the draft. We need a Scotty Miller.

    Use the cash to sign some young players to long term deals – DE Carl Lawson, 6’2” CB Michael Davis

    Draft a guard, Center, RB and QB. You have should have four #1s and four #2s you’ve received. Either trade up for a QB this year or next.

    • Rob Staton

      1. My suggestion — and I think it’s fairly reasonable — is the Seahawks want/expect the Bears to come up with a QB solution for them without reducing the stock they get in return. In other words, they need to find a way to work Darnold into this deal. So they wouldn’t be wasting picks in this scenario, they’d be telling the Bears to work a three-team trade or they need to acquire Darnold somehow. Seattle would get a two-year shot to work out whether Darnold is the guy and they could move on at any point. That would be a smart move.

      2. I have no idea why anyone covets Roquan Smith. Is he a good player? Yes. But he needs to be paid soon. You’ve just drafted Jordyn Brooks. Play him instead. And I worry a bit about Roquan. I hope he’s been able to conquer his demons but not that long ago he was tweeting stuff like this.

      3. I would happily trade Adams and replace him with Keanu Neal

      4. You don’t need to pay Lockett ‘big money’. Just pay him what he deserves. He’s an asset who increasingly gets no respect from this fan base.

      • TomLPDX

        There you go being all logical and reasonable again. This just makes too much sense.

      • Roy Batty

        I have always wondered why so many fans valued Baldwin so highly only to turn around and offer Lockett up as trade fodder. He IS the current iteration of Baldwin, but with an even higher possible ceiling. Great route runner. Great catch rate. Great locker room presence. Gets the hard yardage when needed.

        It takes two players to make a phenomenal pass happen. The QB AND the receiver. Tyler has been that receiver for a few years now.

      • Rohan Raman

        Not sure how realistic this is, but I wonder if the Hawks trade Russ, could they then swing a trade for Danielle Hunter? Last I heard, he and the Vikings were at odds over a new contract and he’s been liking trade rumour posts.

        As much as I love Wilson, Mack and Danielle Hunter is almost unfair. AND you’d still have money to sign a Dunlap as your third rusher and Reed/Poona would become a force in the interior with that amount of help.

  47. Forrest

    Get ready! The Seahawks are drafting Trey Lance!

  48. Rob Staton

    Now watching Darnold in 2019.

    Why on earth did the Jets let Robbie Anderson walk? Basically ruined Darnold’s season there and then

    Their connection was excellent

    • BobbyK

      Give Darnold a good LG and DK/Lockett and he can be more than okay, right?

      • Rob Staton

        I think he can succeed. Whether he can elevate, that’s different. But he’s never had anything like DK/Lockett. Put a great TE on the field for him and you could be on to a winner.

        • James Z

          The year the ‘Hawks won the SB, Wilson in his 2nd year, was considered still a ‘game manager’, but an exceptional game manager if you were paying attention to his skill set. Even in his 3rd year it was the case to an extent. I think P.C. would feel quite at home with a decent game manager and if he sees Darnold as having the potential to be ‘exceptional’ or close in that role than roll the dice with an exciting group of young and hungry players to support him via trades and draft picks.

  49. CaptainJack

    As much as a Wilson/Carroll divorce seems inevitable…. trading him would send this franchise back to the stone age. The one positive is after a disaster of a wilson-less season ensues, Carroll might finally retire. If the team wants to compete for another year… trading Adams and Wagner seems like the only reasonable way to recoup draft resources to fix the oline and address other needs. But they won’t, because it would be too smart. This franchise stopped making good decisions years ago.

    • BobbyK

      I don’t think getting a plethora of draft picks would set them back too badly IF they received a competent QB in return (Darnold talk). If they got a haul like Darnold, Mack, Johnson, a 1/2/3 this year and #1 picks in ’22 and ’23 (maybe more), I think there’s a chance they could be okay. The best way to build is to have an unfair amount of draft picks and to actually capitalize on most of them. They need more like DK and Damien Lewis and less like Ifedi, Penny, Collier, Pocic, Blair, Taylor, McDowell, Dallas, etc.

      • BobbyK

        In that scenario, I would love to take a RB at 20 and then take a pair of OL in the 2nd round. If they could sign Alex Mack for C in ’21, and let Meinerz and another LG like Banks, Cleveland, etc. compete at LG for ’21… that’d be great. Mack could provide a veteran presence for the rookie RG and the loser R2 could develop for the following year when Meinerz would need to take over at C. Then they’d still have a R3 to take a DT, DE, DB, WR, whatever…

        • Tomas

          Sad if it takes losing our great QB to (eventually) jettison Carroll. What a cluster – F.

  50. Robert Las Vegas

    By the Rob thank you for the excellent article and everything you do on this. Why does seem like every team in the NFL modify contracts or redo contracts except for the Seahawks I have no idea and if KJ Wright doesn’t want to take a pay cut how many teams in the league in the nfl can pay his demand

  51. Simo

    So much talk about this possible trade, I just need it to be over very soon! What’s your guess Rob, it gets done or not? And by the weekend?

    • SeaTown

      Jake Heaps says no deal this year. Sleep tight.

      • James Z

        I wouldn’t be surprised if Heaps were right but disappointed after the past couple of months.

      • sonicreducer

        Jake and Russ are really close. This is a big statement. I’d tend to believe Heaps as much as any other talking head out there.

        • Rob Staton

          I like Jake a lot and respect he is close to Wilson.

          But let’s be honest here. Mike Silver and other connected journalists with no horse in the race are not saying ‘no trade this year’.

          Just because he’s close to Wilson as a QB coach doesn’t mean the Seahawks are telling Wilson every little update or that he’s then passing that info to Jake.

  52. Brik

    Something I want to mention about Sam Darnold. He had Gase as a coach. Same coach Tannehill had in Miami, and look at him now. He was considered great during the seasons he had Peyton Manning. I think Darnold could be something special, he just needs the coach. I wouldn’t be upset if we got him, but it might be the Jets smartest move to keep him for now and focus on building the rest of the team. If he doesn’t pan out the coach can blame it on the QB that he inherited, and say if he gets one they’ll be good.

  53. Tony

    No trade for rw is worth it. I see him dragging any team to the playoffs and we’re holding more late 1st rd picks. And the only good result would be hawks losing to get better picks. But watching my team lose sucks and I’d rather watch rw win here even if pete holds us back. I don’t want another 90s seahawks. I don’t want the last 20 yrs of mariners.

    I’m hoping pete comes out tomorrow and hands russ everything. I hate it’s come to this. Imagine trading russ and buying into darnold. Only to see darnold be the same darnold. And petes outdated D, not be LOB 2.0.

    • BobbyK

      “And the only good result would be hawks losing to get better picks.” Hence additional ammunition for the stupidity of the Jamal Adams trade.

  54. Swisshawk

    If they go for Darnold, give him a run game (read: quality OL) and maybe another weapon… thats some solid O

    If they refoce on D by signing 2 DE (imagine Mack alongside Clowney and Dunlap… might even go all out on “outside DEs” resign Mayowa for 3mil) and REFOCUS on youth and speed… that might be an elite D once again

    Gonna be some fun days. Enjoy the ride guys!

  55. Poli

    https://twitter.com/SharpFootball/status/1369024246069030913

    their last 7 games of 2020, Seattle’s defense faced these QBs:

    CJ Beathard
    Dwayne Haskins
    Colt McCoy
    Sam Darnold
    John Wolford
    Jared Goff
    Carson Wentz

    …and our narrative is the Seahawks defense “blossomed into force”??

    • Poli

      Just a reminder

      • Scot04

        To top it off we cut Dunlap, makes perfect sense

    • Rob Staton

      Watching the all-22 vs the Jets was an eye opener

      The concepts on D were terrifying. They just became a blitz happy team feasting on a crap opponent. Nothing about the unit was enjoyable. Nothing.

  56. SonGoku

    If RW gets traded, do you think a deal is done until Monday?

    • Rob Staton

      No idea

      I just hope that there’s a resolution this weekend one way or another

      Because you can’t waste free agency if you decide to move him

      • SonGoku

        Do you believe that they just roll with Darnold then? Or will they add a veteran or a Rookie to compete for the job?

        • Mick

          Even if we get Darnold, I’d get an experienced QB like Fitzpatrick and a rookie. Darnold could disappoint and we can’t run with Geno Smith.

        • Rob Staton

          I suspect if they got Darnold they’d just run with him.

          He’d be a reclamation project to pump up and invest confidence in. Not sure drafting someone and having a possible QB controversy would be the right way to go.

          But by now you all know I like Mond & Davis and I am very, very comfortable taking either. I just don’t think they will if they get SD

          • Mick

            I’m afraid we have to pick before the 49ers to get Mond.

            • clbradley17

              Totally agree Rob about hoping some things get done this weekend. Official signings start on Wed. at 4 PM, but legal tampering period starts on Monday. Not only Russ, but why haven’t we gotten many things done before the last second? We could have already extended and restructured Duane, Tyler, Jarran, and more so they would have much lower cap hits this year. As you said in your latest video with Robbie, use next year’s credit card, we have 150+ mil. in cap space, much more if Russ and others like Jamal and maybe Bobby are traded. Heard Clayton talking several days ago and he said 50-60 transactions have been made, trades, cuts, etc., and about the only thing we’ve done is cut Dunlap. Even just extending and restructuring 5-6 players could have freed up another 20+ mil. going into FA.

              • Rob Staton

                I think they need the Wilson situation sorting before the can do anything else

  57. Trevor

    Rob the Hawks tendered Ryan Neal maybe that is a sign they are actually considering trading Adam’s, Diggs or both. Why tender him if you plan to keep those guys and Blair is coming back from injury.

    Would love both Adam’s and Diggs to be traded for much needed draft capital. Then bring in Keanu Neal and Hooker on far cheaper deals as I think both are better scheme fits anyways.

    • Henry Taylor

      Neal could be an option at CB if they are keeping Adams, or even if they’re not.

    • Rob Staton

      Tendering Ryan Neal was inevitable even if Adams had already signed a 10-year contract extension

  58. Trevor

    The Jets or Dolphins make so much more sense than the Bears if the Hawks can get Russ to sign off. They are big markets, have exactly the draft capital and QB options that might appeal to the Hawks. Plus moves Russ to AFC.

    Even better Russ to the Jets and Adam’s to the Dolphins.

    • Sea Mode

      Can we just get a refund on the Adams trade…? Pretty please with sugar on top…

    • Rob Staton

      Makes sense to who though? The Seahawks?

      He doesn’t fit the Jets’ scheme which calls to stay on schedule. Not to mention why would he want to go to that car crash of a franchise?

      Miami is more appealing but he clearly wants to play for an aggressive offensive coach, not a conservative Belicheck type who spent the off-season struggling to get an offensive coordinator and has gone with two existing members of the staff instead sharing the gig

  59. Henry Taylor

    I was watching some Kyle Pitts today, just for fun because I have no idea what’s going on with the Seahawks rn, and I was thinking, is there an argument that he is the #1 player in this draft when discounting positional value?

    As well as having too large a catch radius for most players to handle regardless of coverage, he routinely leaves some of the best cover players in his dust (Surtain, Horn). If you leave him one on one in the redzone he will beat you for a TD. If I’m a team in need of a ‘weapon’ in the pass game and it doesn’t really matter whether it’s WR or TE, I’d strongly consider Pitts over Chase and Smith.

    • Rob Staton

      I think he will go #3 or #4

    • Julian Langdon

      I’ve been listen to Steve Verderosa and Tim Brewster (his Florida coach) discuss Kyle Pitts on PFN’s Breaking Down the Board podcast with Anita Marks. Steve, who is a superb listen on his evaluation of a few prospects each week in various positions, and not just the top prospects you might think, rates Kyle Pitts as his #2 best player available overall.

  60. Julian Langdon

    Perhaps the Bears just don’t have the draft capital to trade for Russell Wilson, at least in the eyes of the Seahawks, particularly this issue around acquiring a starting QB. It may be if RW doesn’t want to expand the teams he’s happy to be traded to, he’ll have to play on in Seattle. A position Seattle can’t take, is to accept a trade package that they’re not happy they can really benefit from. A trade the team absolutely can’t afford to lose, is a trade involving their franchise QB.

    Bizarrely it’s not only Chicago’s draft stock that is making a trade so difficult, but a position of Seattle’s making too. By not having a 1st round pick in 2022, they’ve left themselves without any leverage to acquire a QB from another team, and also, if it all goes so horribly wrong and the team tanks from a bad trade or speculative QB move this year, they won’t even benefit from having an advantageous 1st round draft pick in 2022. It’s of Seattle’s making that they feel they can’t make a trade without getting a top QB in return. Unfortunate

    It needs to be remembered that as Rob pointed out, the first word we had from Mike Florio that RW might not finish his career in Seattle was last May (I think), so worst case scenario planning in the front office should have started then, and probably even before!

    • Rob Staton

      Perhaps the Bears just don’t have the draft capital to trade for Russell Wilson, at least in the eyes of the Seahawks, particularly this issue around acquiring a starting QB.

      I think we’ve been through this before though. It’s not a case of ‘not having the draft capital’. This isn’t the class to go chasing a top-10 quarterback unless #1 was on offer (it isn’t). The key is quantity of picks.

      Do the Seahawks need an answer at QB when Wilson departs? Yes. But that’s not a question of ‘draft capital’. That’s about identifying who you want and coming up with a solution to get them.

      It may be if RW doesn’t want to expand the teams he’s happy to be traded to, he’ll have to play on in Seattle.

      There is no scenario where the two parties leave this unresolved, with some kind of ‘tough shit’ message offered to Russell Wilson.

      Bizarrely it’s not only Chicago’s draft stock that is making a trade so difficult

      It’s nothing to do with ‘draft stock’

      but a position of Seattle’s making too. By not having a 1st round pick in 2022, they’ve left themselves without any leverage to acquire a QB from another team, and also, if it all goes so horribly wrong and the team tanks from a bad trade or speculative QB move this year, they won’t even benefit from having an advantageous 1st round draft pick in 2022.

      This isn’t true really. Not having their picks doesn’t prevent them from getting a QB. They will get picks from Chicago.

      Also, the Seahawks won’t even be considering a scenario ‘where things go wrong’. They’ll be making plans to make things ‘go right’.

      It needs to be remembered that as Rob pointed out, the first word we had from Mike Florio that RW might not finish his career in Seattle was last May (I think), so worst case scenario planning in the front office should have started then, and probably even before!

      I agree with this. And if they didn’t want a quarterback having a major input in the offense and scheme, they probably shouldn’t have given him a $35m a year contract in 2019.

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