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Russell Wilson Rumors: Seahawks QB Is Happy and 'All-in' Despite Past Trade Buzz

Mike Chiari@@mikechiariX.com LogoFeatured Columnist IVJune 19, 2021

FILE - In this Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020 file photo, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) warms up before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams in Inglewood, Calif. Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider spend Wednesday, April 28, 2021 talking about their relationship with their starting quarterback, the result of months of silence on the subject and the fact they have just three picks in the NFL draft. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)
AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson is reportedly in a good place despite the trade rumors that surrounded him earlier this offseason.

During an appearance on Saturday morning's edition of SportsCenter, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler reported that those who he spoke to close to the Seahawks organization said Wilson is happy and "all-in" with Seattle ahead of the 2021 season.

While Wilson never formally asked for a trade, his agent told ESPN's Adam Schefter in February that Wilson would accept a trade to the Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, Las Vegas Raiders or New Orleans Saints.

Schefter also reported that the Bears made "a very aggressive pursuit" of Wilson on the trade market only to be rebuffed by the Seahawks.

Per Fowler, those within the Seahawks organization "are not denying that it was tense, that there was some consternation on Wilson’s part," amid the trade rumors.

Fowler also noted that Wilson was "frustrated" with the team's direction—detailed in this report from The Athletic—but has since changed his tune and now "feels really good about where the team is at."

The 32-year-old Wilson, who is a seven-time Pro Bowler and one-time Super Bowl champion, is coming off one of the best statistical seasons of his career.

He completed a career-best 68.8 percent of his passes for 4,212 yards and a career-high 40 touchdowns, although his 13 interceptions were a career high as well.

NFL @NFL

Russell Wilson has five passing touchdowns to five different receivers! #Seahawks @DangeRussWilson<br><br>📺: #NEvsSEA on NBC<br>📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/D3Z0XewhrI pic.twitter.com/m3md2cuXOn

Wilson also continued to do damage with his legs despite having been in the league for nearly a decade, rushing for 513 yards and two scores.

The Seahawks have reached the playoffs in each of the past three seasons and in eight of Wilson's nine seasons, but they experienced another early exit in January, losing to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Wild Card Round.

Since losing to the New England Patriots in heartbreaking fashion in Super Bowl XLIX to conclude the 2014 season, the Seahawks have not made it past the divisional round.

Part of the reason for Seattle's recent inability to go deep in the playoffs has been the decline of its defense, which was the best in the league when it went to the Super Bowl in back-to-back years in 2013 and 2014.

Over the past four seasons, the Seahawks have finished outside the top 10 in total defense and scoring defense each year.

The Seahawks were 26th in yards allowed and 22nd in points allowed in 2019, and while they showed improvement last season, they were still just 22nd in total defense and 15th in scoring defense.

Seattle didn't make any huge moves to improve that side of the ball this offseason, and the team didn't do much on offense either aside from signing tight end Gerald Everett away from the Rams.

Even so, the Seahawks figure to have an explosive offense once again in 2021, with Wilson distributing the ball to wide receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, as well as running back Chris Carson.

Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the team to beat in the NFC after they won the Super Bowl last season, but Wilson's presence makes Seattle one of the few clubs with a legitimate chance to go all the way.