With the NFL trade deadline coming up on November 4, ESPN recently listed the Top 25 players who could be available. Among them is current New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson, who won a Super Bowl
with current Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll in 2014 for the Seattle Seahawks, and the Raiders were listed as one of two team fits for the 10-time Pro Bowl QB.
The buzz: Trading Wilson would be a challenge because of the scarcity of available starting QB jobs. The Bengals had a clear opening two weeks ago but opted for Joe Flacco. The Giants could slide Jameis Winston into the No. 2 quarterback spot if they aggressively pursue a trade of Wilson. At this stage of Wilson’s career, compensation would not be steep. His days as a productive starter appear to be over. He has a trade-friendly base salary of $2 million. — Jeremy Fowler
The tape: Wilson can still throw with pace and touch at the third level of the field, but with his reduced mobility, he isn’t a creator outside of structure at this point. In three starts with the Giants this season, Wilson completed 59.1% of his throws with a QBR of 34.7. He should be viewed as a No. 2 or an injury replacement. — Bowen
Predicted chance of getting traded: 10%
Team fits: Las Vegas Raiders, New Orleans Saints
It’s no secret that the Raiders could use help at quarterback with Geno Smith—Wilson’s backup in Seattle from 2019 to 2021—throwing a league-leading 10 interceptions in seven games. However, if there’s going to be a quarterback change in Las Vegas, it would make more sense for the coaching staff to turn to the guy they’ve already traded for this fall: Kenny Pickett.
Additionally, Wilson is only on a one-year contract and isn’t turning a 2-5 team into a playoff contender, and the Silver and Black should be sellers rather than buyers at the deadline.
ESPN also named another Giant, offensive lineman Evan Neal, and Chicago Bears offensive tackle Braxton Jones as “fits” for the Raiders. Neal has been a first-round bust and has started just seven games in the last two seasons combined, with all seven starts coming after starter Andrew Thomas suffered a season-ending injury last year. Meanwhile, Jones was benched during the Bears’ Week 4 matchup with the Raiders. Also, both linemen are set to hit free agency in the offseason.
Long story short, trading for any of these players wouldn’t make sense for Las Vegas.
In Other Raiders’ Links:
- Marshawn Lynch moves on in Hall of Fame voting: the running back and Oakland native is one of 52 modern-era players to advance to the next stage, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
- Should Jackson Powers-Johnson be on trade block?: “It seems pretty clear that Powers-Johnson and the new regime haven’t been on the same page essentially since John Spytek and Pete Carroll were hired in the offseason…So, if Powers-Johnson doesn’t fit into the new regime’s long-term vision and isn’t going to get much playing time moving forward, a split would make sense for both parties,” via Silver and Black Pride.
- Maxx Crosby’s future: “Tuesday night, NFL Media reported that the team met with Crosby and told him he isn’t going anywhere and that Crosby wants to stay,” S&BP’s Bill Williamson wrote. “That all makes sense. However, the offseason could be a different story especially if Pete Carroll’s status unravels.”
- Could be a quiet trade deadline in Las Vegas: “Multiple execs told me they believe the team is open to a deal but is not actively looking for trade partners,” via ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. “Another, however, believes the Raiders would prefer to wait until after the season to make any sweeping changes, due in part to the presence of Pete Carroll. The type of offers that roll in over the next two weeks could determine the course of action here.”
