If you were one of those astronauts stuck on the International Space Station for the past years or so, you might be wondering how Geno Stone fared in his first year as the Seattle Seahawks’ starting safety. You’d probably be surprised to learn, upon stepping back onto the Earth, that Stone played 2024 as a member of the Cincinnati Bengals. You see, last year around this time, the internet was pretty certain that Stone would be signing with Seattle.
I don’t want to shock you, but every so often, the rumors you read on the internet don’t turn out to be true.
Like the one that’s been floating around for the past month about the Rams trading Matthew Stafford. It was based on … well, nothing, really. Stafford’s salary is high, sure. The Rams want cap space, of course. That’s why they are looking to trade Cooper Kupp. You trade a wide receiver, no matter how good, long before you trade a legitimate Super Bowl-caliber quarterback. How do we know Stafford is Super Bowl caliber? Because he won the thing three years ago.
No Matthew Stafford means the Las Vegas Raiders might chase this former Seattle Seahawks quarterback in free agency
The Rams have done a remarkable job of reloading. They have a young, talented defense. They have Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams. Most of all, they have Sean McVay. Why on earth would they trade an elite quarterback when their championship window is open? And why would that QB want to go anywhere else?
Turns out the Rams wanted Stafford, and Stafford wanted the Rams, and now they have worked out an extension. An extension that has plenty of ripple effects throughout the league.
For Seattle, it’s simply another clear sign that the power in the NFC West resides about a thousand miles to the south. That was apparent last year when the Rams won the division, but Seahawks’ fans could hold out some hope that were they to lose their QB, perhaps the Rams would come back to the pack a little bit. No such luck. If Seattle wants to win the division, they will need to get past LA – LA with Matthew Stafford under center.
It also may push the door open a bit wider for a former Seahawk to reunite with a former Seahawks coach.
Last week, FOX Sports' Eric Williams identified five likely landing spots for Stafford if he were to be traded. The third most likely team on his list – after Pittsburgh and the New York Giants – was the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders seemed interested in the possibility of getting a short-term fix at quarterback with a 37-year-old QB who has won a Super Bowl.
Since they can’t get Stafford now, how about a 36-year-old quarterback who has won a Super Bowl? He comes with the bonus of having played many years for the new Raiders’ head coach, Pete Carroll. With Stafford off the market, Russell Wilson becomes the leading contender to become the Raiders’ new QB in 2025.
Of all the places the former Seahawk might end up, I would make Vegas the co-favorite. The only other likely option I see is Wilson re-upping with Pittsburgh.
The other teams on the SI list are problematic. Minnesota is far and away the most talented team, set up for immediate success. But were Russ to sign with Kevin O’Connell, he would be constantly looking over his shoulder at JJ McCarthy. One bad game and fans would begin clamoring for the 2024 first-round pick to Wally Pipp Russ right out of a job.
The Colts may be ready to move on from the Anthony Richardson experience. I think Indy overreached drastically choosing Richardson with the fourth pick in 2023, but even a doubter like me thinks that is a ludicrous decision. He’s 22 years old. You loved him five minutes ago. Show a little bit of resilience and see what he can do. Anyway, if I’m Russ, I have no interest in going to a mediocre team that throws its QB under the bus as soon as the bus shifts into gear.
The other team on the list is the Giants. Do I have to explain this one? Why would any free agent with options sign with the Giants?
So maybe Russ and Mike Tomlin will realize that they kind of like each other. Russ certainly played better in Pittsburgh than he had in several seasons. But maybe the lure of running it all back with Pete Carroll (with a special guest appearance from new minority owner Tom Brady) will be too tempting to ignore.
The Raiders are building a decent offensive line. They have one of the most exciting young offensive weapons in the league in Brock Bowers. And say what you want about Chip Kelly as a head coach, but the Raiders’ new offensive coordinator has a long track record of success.
If I’m the Raiders, and Matthew Stafford is off the table, I want Russell Wilson. If I’m Wilson, I think I want Vegas, baby. As for Geno Stone… I think he’s stuck with the Bengals for another year.
