NFL Trade Rumors: Seahawks identify Deshaun Watson as potential replacement for Russell Wilson

The Seattle Seahawks no longer have Russell Wilson. Without a quarterback under center, the team is out in the cold, hard world of finding a new signal-caller. However, one move could allow the Seahawks to tread water.

According to NFL reporter Dov Kleiman, the team is one of several interested in acquiring Deshaun Watson. The Seahawks, Panthers, and Commanders are all interested in signing the quarterback. If the Seahawks land Watson, they could be getting a risky asset at quarterback, but one that could be an upgrade over Wilson.

Would Deshaun Watson serve as an upgrade over Russell Wilson?

Houston Texans v Indianapolis Colts

Russell Wilson is 33 years old and will soon enter the twilight of his career. Meanwhile, Watson will turn 27 this year and could stick around for the foreseeable future. Of course, there is a dropoff from Wilson to Watson. The former Seattle quarterback was a shoo-in to throw for at least 30 touchdowns a season.

In comparison, the Texans quarterback has had one season in which he threw for at least 30 touchdowns. Granted, it was his most recent year, but his team went 4-12 that season, and, assuming the quarterback returns for 2022, it will have been about a year and a half since his last NFL pass.

It is tough to miss that much time and come back as a solid player. That said, the amount of time the quarterback will have missed is close to that of a player who tore his ACL. Plenty of players who have suffered such an injury have returned to play at a high level.

In 2016, he threw for 31 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. In 2018, he threw for 39 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Of course, this was a case in which the quarterback missed time and needed to work back from injury. In the Texans quarterback's case, he didn't miss time due to injury. As such, he might return in the same form as in 2020.

If the Seahawks win the trade sweepstakes, they will get a younger quarterback who is capable of playing at a level similar to Wilson's. Moreover, the Seahawks have extra draft picks as a result of the Wilson's trade to Denver For the Seahawks, anything is possible. Will the team out bid the others?