ESPN Insider: Vikings, Bucs 'Logical Fits' for Russell Wilson
Add two more entrants to the pending Russell Wilson sweepstakes.
League sources told ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler that the Minnesota Vikings and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are viewed among "several logical fits" for the embattled Denver Broncos quarterback, who's reportedly expecting to be released this offseason.
Minnesota, in particular, is of "intrigue" to Wilson — though a few dominoes first need to fall before potentially calling either locale his new home.
"Don't be surprised if Wilson, should he become a free agent, is intrigued by Minnesota, assuming Kirk Cousins doesn't re-sign with the Vikings (a big question)," Fowler wrote in a piece published Tuesday. "Kevin O'Connell comes from the Sean McVay passing tree that maximizes quarterback efficiency. Wilson would have plenty of weapons in a group that includes Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson and Jordan Addison."
"[Baker] Mayfield is a free agent, and if Tampa Bay can't reach a new deal with him, the Bucs would make a lot of sense for Wilson," he continued. "Tampa offensive coordinator Dave Canales was on Seattle's offensive staff throughout Wilson's 10 years there, and the two maintained a close relationship. In Canales' two years as Wilson's quarterbacks coach, Wilson was efficient with 66 touchdowns to 12 interceptions.
The Bucs and Mayfield are open to extension talks, so the Wilson discussion might be a moot point. But Wilson could be an intriguing option for them."
Fowler also identified the Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots as "sleepers" to acquire Wilson on the free-agent market, provided he lands there. So, too, are the Pittsburgh Steelers, whom former NFL QB-turned-analyst David Carr recently ranked as Wilson's ideal landing spot.
While Broncos general manager George Paton last week claimed "the door is open" for Wilson to return in 2024, the 35-year-old is likely to be cut prior to March 17, when $37 million of injury provisions — baked into his $245 million contract extension — become fully guaranteed.
Wilson is coming off his second season in Denver, completing 66.4% of his passes for 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns, and eight interceptions across 15 starts. He was benched for the final two games due to the aforementioned contractual issue; the Broncos, however, insist it was a football-based decision.
Although "functional but declining" at this stage of his career, Fowler reported upon conferring with sources, some around the NFL believe Wilson could remain a "mid-tier starter" under the right circumstances.
"Physically Russ is declining as his deep ball, mobility and overall accuracy are fading," an AFC personnel director told Fowler. "I think his career arc is unique because he's basically an older version of his younger self in Seattle. He needs a strong running game and defense once again to be a serviceable starter."
"Still an instinctual thrower, still has arm talent to throw the ball downfield," an NFL personnel evaluator added. "Still a good enough mover. Has always thrown a good deep ball. It's just if you ask him to throw the ball 35 times a game, he's probably going to struggle. That's just not who he is."
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