Russell Wilson? Do whatever it takes, Dolphins

Many years ago when Bret Bielema was interviewing for the vacant Miami Dolphins head coaching position, he came with a well devised plan.

At the time, Bielema was the head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers. And his plan was carefully constructed around the idea that the Dolphins would draft Russell Wilson in the 2012 NFL Draft. He believed Wilson had the potential to be one of the NFL’s ‘elite’ and surprise, surprise, that’s exactly what he’s become.

Obviously Ross went with Joe Philbin, and the team eventually wasted a first-round pick and seven years on Ryan Tannehill. But to believe Stephen Ross isn’t filled with deep regret over his decision would be mistaken.  After all, while the Dolphins were wasting nearly a decade on Tannehill and cycling through one head coach after another. The Seattle Seahawks were winning football games. Consistently. Plus a Super Bowl. Nearly two.

Sure, some of the credit must go to the Legion of Boom, who helped bring relevance back to the Seahawks.  But the one consistent player that Pete Carroll has had for a majority of his eight year tenure in Seattle is Wilson.

Wilson, 30, has thrown for 25,624 yards, 196 touchdowns, and 63 interceptions. His career 75-36-1 record is extremely impressive when compared to the current group of quarterbacks.  Furthermore, his skill-set is something very few in the league possess.  Wilson’s escapability, pocket awareness, and accuracy remain among the NFL’s elite.  Time and again, Wilson will make plays that leave most with their jaw on the floor.  He is elite, in a group that consists of only a few.

So why is the internet torn on whether or not it would be in Miami’s best interest to trade for the 30-year old quarterback?

would you trade xavien howard + two 1st round draft picks to seattle for russell wilson?

— Dolphin Maven (@DolphinMaven) April 14, 2019

Compensation

Unlike the NFL Draft, there is no trade chart to determine the value of a franchise caliber quarterback.  What we do know however, is that any trade involving Wilson would likely involve multiple first-round draft picks.  Yesterday, I proposed a trade on Twitter that included two first-round draft picks and Pro Bowl cornerback Xavien Howard. Now obviously, it would be in Miami’s best interest to keep the 25-year old shutdown corner. But if Seattle is going to move their franchise quarterback, it would need an offer it simply can not refuse.  Two first-round draft picks and one of the NFL’s top-5 defensive backs could get the job done.

Salary

Some believe you shouldn’t trade for a quarterback when, by most accounts, that team is rebuilding.  And by trading for Wilson, the Dolphins are then forced to make him the highest paid player in NFL history.  This may not be as big of a problem as some may believe, given that Miami currently has $120+ million of cap space in 2020.  As we are starting to see around the league, paying a quarterback can sometimes cripple the salary cap.  So yes, I understand why some might be hesitant. But if a player of Russell Wilson’s caliber ever becomes available on the open market-via trade or free agency- you do everything in your power to land the whale.

Conclusion

Whether or not the Seahawks and Wilson agree to a new deal, has yet to be determined.  But in today’s NFL, there are only so many ‘elite’ quarterbacks. If one of those proven commodities becomes available on the open market, you do whatever it takes to land that generational talent.  Wilson may not check all of Bill Parcells’ quarterback commandments but that’s okay.  That got us Chad Henne. All Wilson has done over the last seven years is win, at times with less.  If Seattle would be foolish enough to put him on the trade block, interest would be like nothing we’ve ever seen.  To have a quarterback, at the peak of his prime, become available is unheard of. The Dolphins haven’t had one since Dan Marino in the 1980s. As you well know.

Ultimately, I don’t think Seattle would let the greatest player in franchise history play anywhere else.  But if he is available, Chris Grier and Ross better be the first on the phone.  What a trade of this magnitude would do to the fanbase and more so, Ross’ wallet.  Wilson’s jersey will be the #1 selling jersey over the next decade.  There would never be another empty seat at Hard Rock — well, at least, not as many.  Wilson would put an end to the drought that started the day Dan Marino retired.  Most importantly, however, the Dolphins would finally have a winning football team.

Do whatever it takes, to get Russell Wilson to Miami.

Josh Houtz (@Houtz) is a diehard Dolphins fan…. and a bit of a dreamer. For a look at how the Dolphins are doing at tanking (not well), check out Chris Kouffman’s piece HERE.