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Brady HendersonESPN
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson said he was frustrated by the number of times he has hit him throughout his career and expressed a desire to be more involved in team personnel decisions.
“Like any player, you never want to be hit,” Wilson told reporters via Zoom on Tuesday. “That’s the reality of playing this position. Ask any quarterback who wants to play this game. But at the same time, it’s part of the job and everything else. I think the reality is that I’ve definitely been hit. has been fired almost 400 times, so we need to improve. I also need to find ways to improve. “
When asked if he’s frustrated with the Seahawks, Wilson said with a laugh, “I’m frustrated [about] hit too hard. I am frustrated with this part. In the end, you want to win. “
Wilson’s comments mark the first time he has publicly expressed this degree of dissatisfaction with his passing protection or any other aspect of the organization that drafted it in 2012. They come to light in an NFL Network report that states that several teams have called the Seahawks about a possible trade for the eight-time Pro Bowler.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, those calls were not initial for the Seahawks, who have made it clear to suitors that Wilson will not be treated. He has three years left in the four-year, $ 140 million extension he signed in April 2019. Trading Wilson before June 1 this year would result in $ 39 million in charges against Seattle’s salary cap in 2021.
Wilson has been fired 394 times in his career. According to ESPN Stats & Information, this is the highest in a player’s first nine seasons since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. Randall Cunningham is next at 366.
Wilson’s 47 sacks in 2020 finished third in the NFL behind Carson Wentz (50) and Deshaun Watson (49). The Seahawks were the ninth-best earnings per block by ESPN (61.9%) last season and ranked eighth since 2017 (59.2%), indicative of how some of the sacks of Wilson are a function of his propensity to extend plays.
“I think about my career and what I want to be able to do, it always starts up front, offensively on defense, it always does,” Wilson said. “… I’ve come to play this game to win championships, so if you’re wondering about the confidence factor of all this, I’ve always trusted the Seahawks trying to do whatever it takes to win and I hope it continues. I think it’s a fundamental part.I think part of that is how to protect it and find out these other things like that.
The Seahawks have Pro Bowl left team, Duane Brown and right team, Brandon Shell, each hired for one more season. Right-back Damien Lewis, selected in the third round in 2020, was named to the Pro Football Writers Association’s All-Rookie team after starting each game. Left guard Mike Iupati and center Ethan Pocic are expected to become unrestricted free agents.
Wilson said during his video conference that he wants to have a voice in staff decisions that other major quarterbacks have or have had, naming Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees. Wilson pointed to the same point Tuesday earlier in an interview with the Dan Patrick Show.
“I want to be able to participate because at the end of the day, it’s your legacy, it’s the legacy of your team, it’s the guys you can get confused with and, at the end of the day, those guys you are I have to trust.” , Wilson told Patrick. “When you think about one of the reasons Tom went to Tampa it was because he felt he could trust those guys and [coach Bruce Arians] it was going to give him a chance. … Think of guys like LeBron [James], could be around great players you can trust.
“I think for me, every time you bring in free agents or other players, you want the best players, guys who love the game, guys who want to be a part of it. And as a player, you know, you can be around the Pro Bowls, you can see these guys a little bit, be in a hug with the linemen or receivers, or be close to defensive guys, so you’re building it over time and you get to see who can really play. player, you know. I think that relationship is really key and that dialogue, especially because of being a veteran player, is very important that dialogue. “
When asked if he participates or has participated in these conversations, Wilson said “not so much.” He added: “I think it helps to get more involved. But I think the dialogue should happen more often, in my opinion.”
Of the teams that called the Seahawks about a possible trade, Wilson said to Patrick, “Yeah, sure I think they’ve gotten calls, sure. I think as long as you’re a player who tries to produce every week and he’s done it consistently. , I think people will call safely, and it’s part of the process. “
Asked if he was available, Wilson said, “I’m not sure if I’m available or not. That’s a Seahawks question. But I think more than anything, I think at the end of the day you want to win …. Play to this game for being the best in the world. You know what I hate? I hate being there watching other guys play. There’s nothing worse. “