The Curious Case of Russell Wilson

Wisconsin product Russell Wilson impressed during Seahawks rookie minicamps

After signing free agent quarterback Matt Flynn to a three-year, $19.5 million contract with $10 million guaranteed, conventional wisdom dictated that Flynn would be a shoe-in for the Seattle Seahawks starting quarterback position.  Flynn was one of the most highly sought after free agent quarterbacks on the market, having just broken Green Bay Packers' franchise records for most passing yards in a game (480) and passing touchdowns in a game (6) and serving as one of the better backup quarterbacks in the league for the past four years.  However, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll refused to name Flynn the starter.  "Jackson was our starter last year and he’s coming in to compete head-to-head for the starting job," Carroll said after Flynn was signed, despite the fact that Jackson rated as a below-average quarterback in nearly every meaningful statistical category.  


Now, after just one weekend of rookie mini-camps, Pete Carroll has thrown his weight behind third-round pick Russell Wilson, who apparently had an impressive showing over the past few days.  "He showed us enough," Carroll said. "He's in the competition."  


I can understand the excitement in Seattle for Russell Wilson.  He set an NCAA all-time regular season record in passer efficiency at Wisconsin in 2011 and led the Badgers to their second consecutive Rose Bowl (in which they narrowly lost to Oregon).  He finished 9th in the Heisman voting and his 109 career passing TD rank 7th all-time.  However, Wilson lasted into the third round for a reason (his small stature), and I believe the Seahawks would be making a costly mistake if they selected him as the starting quarterback entering the 2012 season.


Matt Flynn deserves to be named the starter entering the 2012 season.  The notion that Russell Wilson earned himself a chance to compete for the starting position after not being terrible in a rookie minicamp is quite laughable.  Flynn is light-years ahead of Wilson as a passer and far more reliable than Tarvaris Jackson.  But, Carroll and Seahawks GM John Schneider are so enamored with Wilson that I feel they might overlook his small stature and insert him as the starting quarterback after a "competiton" with Flynn and Jackson.  


Let me be clear: If Flynn, Jackson, and Wilson competed in an unbiased quarterback competition, Flynn would win, hands down.  He has spent the last four seasons honing his craft under the tutelage of Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy, and is more than ready to step into the driver's seat and lead a talented franchise back to the playoffs.  Hopefully, for the Seahawks' sake, Carroll and Schneider realize that and don't trick themselves into thinking Russell Wilson is ready to be the man.