The free-agent quarterback market appears to be at a standstill, with Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers, Jameis Winston, and Joe Flacco still without teams. The lack of interest in Wilson has surprised former NFL quarterback Chase Daniel, who suggested that the player’s pride may be a factor.
Russell Wilson and the Stagnating QB Market
Four games into Wilson’s tenure as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ starting quarterback, things couldn’t have gone much better. After replacing Justin Fields in Week 7, Wilson led the team to four straight wins, including an 18-16 victory over the division-rival Baltimore Ravens. Just eight weeks later, Wilson faced criticism as the Steelers crashed out of the playoffs with five straight losses, ending their season in the Wild Card Round.
That late-season collapse seems to have carried into the offseason, as the 2013 Super Bowl champion remains unsigned. Several veteran quarterbacks have found new teams since free agency began, including Fields, who joined the New York Jets. Meanwhile, Wilson continues his search for a new home, despite multiple NFL teams still in need of a quarterback.
While no longer the elite playmaker he once was, Wilson’s situation is puzzling. Daniel, however, believes Wilson’s biggest obstacle isn’t a lack of interest — it’s his reluctance to accept his diminishing value.
Chase Daniel Believes Wilson May Need To Accept an ‘Embarrassing’ Offer
The reason for the holdup, according to Daniel, is likely financial. While that may seem obvious, there is a belief that the quarterback market is waiting on Aaron Rodgers to make his decision. Daniel believes that Wilson has likely been made offers but has been left insulted by the figures involved. Speaking during an episode of “The Facility,” Daniel explained his stance.
“I think that Russell probably wants more than teams are willing to pay. And what teams are willing to pay Russ, probably, is an embarrassing amount of money,” Daniel said. “And so, if you’re Russ, who always takes care of his image — he’s always the ‘Yes’ guy, the leadership guy, the team leader in the locker room — I think that plays into it.”
Daniel continued: “And I do think there’s offers out there, that maybe haven’t been publicly heard because maybe the amount is too low. And I don’t think Russ wants to accept those because I don’t think he wants the embarrassment of it.”
.@ChaseDaniel is surprised that Russell Wilson is still a free agent:
“There’s teams that still desperately need a QB, but it’s probably coming down to money.” pic.twitter.com/6k09K2vISa
— The Facility (@TheFacilityFS1)
Daniel’s perspective makes sense. The idea that a veteran free-agent quarterback hasn’t received any offers at all is hard to believe. More likely, Wilson has options he finds unappealing. That being said, Daniel believes offers will improve, but Wilson may have to take what’s currently on the table.
“Russ is gonna have to decide, ‘Alright, do I just go if I’m promised a start, a starting spot, and the money’s not what I want it like? Can we just make it seem like it’s a lot?’ Just so the outside public doesn’t hear. I think that’s gotta be playing here, or else he’d be signed.”
The uncertainty surrounding Rodgers, along with three quarterback-needy teams holding top-three draft picks, is affecting Wilson’s market. However, it’s more likely causing slow negotiations rather than a total lack of interest.
With Rodgers having reportedly met with the Steelers, though, things could be about to speed up very quickly.
