Commanders never had chance at Russell Wilson based on reported trade offer

Another one bites the dust.

The Washington Commanders were out of the running for Aaron Rodgers before the two-time defending MVP signed a reported four-year, $200 million extension to return to the Packers. Rodgers has since refuted signing a contract, but he’ll be spending what will likely be the remainder of his career in Green Bay.

While it touched a nerve, that news wasn’t all that hurtful. Just hours later, though, another domino in the QB market came crashing down.

Less than a week after Pete Carroll stressed the Seahawks had “no intention” of trading Russell Wilson, Seattle turned around and dealt the nine-time Pro Bowler to the Denver Broncos in a trade that changes the scope of the AFC.

The immediate collective reaction amongst Commanders fans questioned the aggression in which Washington pursued Wilson.

As the details of the trade began to trickle out, though, it became clear the Commanders never stood a chance. After all, longtime insider Albert Breer disclosed Washington “offered high picks in the next three drafts” for Wilson.

The deciding factor? The Seahawks, like Green Bay with Rodgers, had no intention of trading the superstar within the conference.

Did the Commanders even have a chance at landing Russell Wilson?

Assuming those were all first-round picks, it’s hard to fault Ron Rivera and Co. for not moving the needle enough for Wilson. After all, when you consider what Seattle acquired for the potential future Hall of Famer, it paled in comparison to what Washington was seemingly prepared to bring to the table.

Here are the full details:

• Seattle receives: QB Drew Lock, TE Noah Fant, DL Shelby Harris, two first-round picks, two second-round picks and a fifth-round pick
• Denver receives: QB Russell Wilson and a fourth-round pick

If you’re a Washington fan, that haul has to make this sting a little less. At the end of the day, Seattle clearly cared more about getting Wilson out of the NFC than it did ensuring it got the maximum in return for the 33-year-old.

Seems like a questionable strategy at best given two firsts, two seconds, a backup quarterback, mid-tier tight end and an aging defensive lineman is not the haul you would expect for a top-five quarterback in the game. Say what you will about Russ’ subpar 2021. He’s still one of the very best the position has to offer.

Of course, not all of this is a silver lining. While Seattle wanted Wilson out of the conference, multiple reports have indicated the former Super Bowl champ always preferred Denver to Washington as a landing spot. No matter how strong the Commanders’ offer was, Wilson had the right to veto it.

So, what’s it going to take for a QB to want to play in Washington? New ownership? Or is it simply a matter of bad luck that every marquee quarterback that’s been traded in recent years originally presided in the NFC, thereby making it “impossible” for the Commanders to know whether they even had a chance?

These are questions fans have been asking themselves for years. Based on how the Rodgers and Wilson sagas have unfolded, they aren’t likely to be answered this offseason … unless Deshaun Watson saves the day, but that’s not a discussion anyone wants to have until we get some clarity on his legal situation.

Nevertheless, the quest for a QB continues.