Russell Wilson’s arrogance saved the Seahawks (but already hated by Giants fans)

Should the Seattle Seahawks make the playoffs in 2025, 12s can thank Russell Wilson a great deal for that happening. Where would Seattle be if it still had Wilson? Likely, much less talented and saddled with debt. An also-ran in the NFC West for the foreseeable future.

In fact, one of the main reasons Seattle was in a position to win 10 games last season (the only team with double-digit victories to not make the playoffs in 2024) and punch its postseason ticket this season is because of Wilson's arrogance. He thought he was bigger than the team. He was wrong.

After the 2021 season, one in which the Seahawks went 7-10 to suffer their first losing season in a decade, Russell Wilson went to team ownership and asked for general manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll to be fired. Wilson was the one who was fired, though, by way of being traded to the Denver Broncos.

Russell Wilson's arrogance keeps giving back to the Seattle Seahawks

Wilson has now made his way to his fourth team in five years, as he signed with the New York Giants in free agency this past offseason. New York was maybe the only team willing to take a chance on him. But he instantly began to talk as if he signed with the Giants because he wanted to play with young receiver Malik Nabers.

This kind of self-serving and false-modesty verbiage has what has turned many fans off of Wilson, though he doesn't seem to know it. At a Summer Slam event at the Giants' home stadium recently, the quarterback was shown on screen and loudly booed. He has yet to play a down for New York.

As far as the gifts that Wilson managed to give Seattle because of his arrogant attempt continued to help the team build into a very good product. While only one of the players the Seahawks received back in the trade remains (sort of), the draft picks collected have turned out to be very good players.

Seattle received veterans Shelby Harris, Noah Fant, and Drew Lock. Fant was released before training camp this year after three underwhelming seasons with the team. Harris lasted one year. Lock stuck around for two, left, but then returned in free agency this offseason.

But those players that the Seahawks were able to draft? Oh, boy. Some of them are very good, and Seattle would not have had a chance to take them except for Russell Wilson believing he was the team, instead of just a part of it.

Left tackle Charles Cross was taken in the first round in 2022 and has developed into one of the best tackles in the league. He is probably going to be the anchor on the Seahawks' O-line for much of the next decade.

2023 first-round pick Devon Witherspoon has played for two seasons, and the cornerback has made it to the Pro Bowl both years. He is one of the best young players in the league overall.

Edge rushers Boye Mafe and Derick Hall help make up a fairly disruptive pass-rush group for Seattle. Mafe had nine sacks in 2023. Hall had eight in 2024. Both will likely make a lot of money once they hit free agency.

Wide receiver Dareke Young might struggle to make the 2025 roster, but he has been solid on special teams for most of his career. If he does make the team, he will be a boon to the third phase of the game.

Again, without Russell Wilson's misperception of the state of the Seattle Seahawks after the 2021 season, none of the above players would be with Seattle. Wilson's lack of self-awareness is the gift that keeps giving to the Seahawks.