Russell Wilson has been the name that has stuck out most as a possible option at quarterback for the Washington Commanders. Wilson has reportedly been weighing his options after 10 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks.
Since being spotted hanging out with Washington defensive tackle Jonathan Allen at the Pro Bowl, rumors and speculation of Wilson joining the Commanders have increased.
Washington fans have been filled with excitement at the possibility of Wilson playing in a Commanders uniform.
Allen is on record saying he hopes Wilson lands in Washington with the Commanders.
However one former NFL Network analyst with ties to Washington isn’t all that excited about Wilson to the Commanders. Former NBC Washington sports anchor Dan Hellie believes Wilson to DC would be repeating history, referencing the Commanders’ past with Donovan McNabb.
There are some similarities between Russell Wilson and Donovan McNabb
McNabb was traded to Washington in 2010 after 11 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. He was 33 years of age and turned 34 on Nov. 25 of that year while in a Washington uniform.
If Wilson is traded this offseason to Washington, he will arrive at the age of 33. Wilson turns 34 on Nov. 29.
Both Wilson and McNabb’s careers seemingly stalled after a Super Bowl loss to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. Despite being considered good and a top-10 quarterback and numerous Pro Bowls, the two lack accolades that would put them into the upper echelon of the elite.
Where the differences start
But one has to decipher into the context to see there are differences that separate the situations.
In 2010, the Eagles were looking to offload McNabb as his time in Philadelphia had run out. For whatever reasons he had worn out his welcome. Eagles head coach Andy Reid was so eager to move on from McNabb, Philadelphia traded him within the NFC East division.
The fact McNabb was traded for a second-round draft pick and a conditional third or fourth-round pick hinted to where he was at that stage in his career.
Wilson’s welcome may be worn out in Seattle, but that is more so due to him airing his frustrations with the organization publicly a year ago. The marriage between Wilson and the Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll has grown stale.
It’s expected a trade for Wilson will cost multiple first-round draft picks in a large package.
Wilson is healthier than McNabb
Wilson appears to be healthier than McNabb. Wilson has been one of the most durable players in the NFL. He hadn’t missed a start in his first nine seasons in the league. A fluke finger fracture forced him to miss his first game in this past season. That’s with him being sacked an average of 42.7 times per season.
McNabb fractured his fibula in 2002. He also had a sports hernia and thumb injury cut his season short at nine games in 2005. In 2006, he tore his ACL after 10 games. Once viewed as a mobile quarterback, those injuries drastically halted his ability or willingness to use his legs to get outside of the pocket and extend plays.
McNabb was already on the decline; Wilson isn’t yet
By the time Washington traded for McNabb, he was already a shell of himself. He didn’t accumulate more than 236 rushing yards in a season from 2007 until the end of his career. In his final three seasons in Philadelphia, McNabb didn’t have a QBR higher than 58.2. Factors to why the Eagles were okay with trading him within their division.
In Washington, it was evident McNabb wasn’t himself early on. Ultimately, head coach Mike Shanahan and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan had seen enough and benched McNabb for Rex Grossman after 13 games with the season lost.
McNabb played one season in Washington before being traded to the Minnesota Vikings before the 2011 season, his last in the NFL.
Meanwhile, looking at Wilson’s total numbers for last season, it was a down year to his standards. However, consider he missed three games, and still threw for 3,113 yards and 25 touchdowns against six interceptions.
Wilson had a career-low 54.7 QBR, but he had QBRs of 63.3, 71.5 and 67.1 in the prior three seasons. Wilson is a healthy 33 with less wear and tear than McNabb had at the same age.
Comparing Russell Wilson to Donovan McNabb is lazy
Today’s NFL rules that protect quarterbacks will allow Wilson the opportunity to remain sturdy. Wilson is also a more polished passer than McNabb ever was. Even if Wilson decreased his use of his legs, he is a top-level passer.
Lumping the two situations appears to be more of a lazy comparison. Context highlights the differences in each.
For Washington, landing Wilson seems more of a long shot than some fans will admit. But, if the Commanders punt on the idea of bringing in Wilson it surely won’t be based on McNabb’s past in Washington 12 years ago.
