The best thing
Chicago Bears fans can say about the Russell Wilson situation is that it's over. After a frantic two-week period that had people really thinking there was a possibility the seven-time Pro Bowler could come to Chicago, things came crashing down when reports surfaced the Seattle Seahawks had turned the Bears' aggressive offer down. Pete Carroll was the primary man to do it.
This pretty much shut the door on a deal happening. Or so everybody thought. Adam Schefter made it clear on multiple occasions afterward that a trade is still possible. The big reason it didn't happen was that Seattle wasn't comfortable with their potential QB options at the time. They hadn't collected enough data on the upcoming 2021 draft class and also weren't sure Sam Darnold, a reported favorite of Caroll, would be available via the New York Jets.
Maybe all of that could change next month.
Schefter isn't the only one convinced this
situation isn't over. Former Jets and Dolphins GM Mike Tannenbaum feels the same way. The ongoing silence between Wilson and the Seahawks is a major tell. In his mind, the quarterback going to the Bears remains a logical outcome eventually. It just may take a bit longer to come together as he
explained on ESPN Get Up.
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Is it probably too much to hope for? Yes. The Bears look like a team that is ready to commit to Andy Dalton for 2021. He'll be their starter and they'll use the remainder of free agency and the upcoming draft to get him as much help as they possibly can. The question of the long-term future at quarterback will have to wait. That may not satisfy a lot of people but it truly is the sensible thing to do at this point. GM Ryan Pace forcing the issue at this juncture is almost certain to end poorly.
Russell Wilson can remain a conversation but nothing more
The odds of him becoming a Bear are remote. Chicago made a run at him. A strong one. Seattle said no. They can't wait around forever hoping that answer changes. Pace had to make a decision. He decided the more pragmatic option was to go with Dalton and allocate his resources elsewhere. It isn't the splash Bears fans wanted but that doesn't mean it was a terrible choice.
Will Pace consider making a second run at it? Only if the Seahawks open the door. Thus far there's been no indication they'll do that. Every move they've made to this point says they're trying to make nice with their quarterback. Signing a new tight end. Trading for a big, nasty guard. Re-signing his backfield mate Chris Carson. Combine this with Wilson's unwillingness to openly request a trade?
There isn't enough smoke there to make a fire. Not yet anyway.
Chicago should keep their ears open but continue to operate as if Wilson is off the table. Dalton isn't flashy but he's serviceable enough. Get him some weapons and a decent line and he can play effective football. He proved that over his final seven games last year in Dallas. It feels like that soap opera in Seattle will have to play out a little longer.
