Russell Wilson is Overrated
Since I began following football, I have adored the quarterback position. I admired these players for their leadership skills, personalities and just all around talent. Dreaming to become the “it quarterback” that gets all the ladies like in the movies, I was determined to figure out everything that made a quarterback great. Even though I am young, I have seen some of the greatest of all time perform right in front of my eyes. Peyton Manning with his intangible wits. Tom Brady with his unmatchable spirit. Drew Brees and his cannon for an arm. And, Rodgers’ pure athleticism and cool. The list goes on and on about what makes a quarterback great. However, one question has always lingered in the back of my head: Why is Russell Wilson considered a top 5 quarterback? I’ve watched his games; I’ve seen his stats yet I am not impressed. The thing that impresses me about Seahawks games is not Russell Wilson but how the defense is constantly giving Russell Wilson chances to prove himself--even though the sixth year starter fails to create a consistent offense.
The Seahawks have a championship caliber defense year in and year out. 2017 was the one exception where the team could not rely on their defense, yet their defense ranked 15th overall in total yards allowed. Since the Green Bay Packers’ Super Bowl win in 2010, their defense has allowed an average of 22.9 points per game (according to pro football reference). The Seattle Seahawks, since drafting Russell Wilson, have allowed 17 points per game (according to pro football reference). I like to give quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers, Andrew Luck and Matt Ryan credit because they are forced to carry the team upon their back each and every season. General Managers of teams like the Seahawks, Steelers and Patriots have realized that you need to build around the quarterback. Without a stellar defense, you cannot win games in the NFL. Constant critics who succumb to the overhype given to Russell Wilson will mention the fact that he has won 68% of his games, highest such rate in the NFL. But, most of those sports specialists don’t understand that games won is not a valuable stat in grading a quarterback’s skill. In 2015, Drew Brees had easily one of the worst defenses in history, only matching up to the 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (who went 0-14 that year). Well if their defense was so bad, why didn’t the Saints go 0-14 like the Tampa Buccaneers? This New Orleans-based team had one of the most electric offenses that year lead by the great Drew Brees. My definition of a good quarterback is a man who can carry his team when they have nothing.
Drew Brees won all seven games for the Saints that year. That may be the only team in my memory where a QB won all of the games for the team. Unlike Brees, Russell Wilson has yet to prove his worth when he has absolutely nothing. He has been surrounded by some of the generation’s greatest defensive players: Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor, Bobby Wagner and Richard Sherman. As we enter the 2018 season, the key components to Wilson’s success are out the door. With a rise in competition from the NFC West, Wilson’s true flaws will be exposed to the nation. I am not calling Wilson a terrible QB, just not top 5. No one can judge an NFL quarterback unless that person has been in the NFL. The things Wilson does is amazing, but the credit he receives seems a bit pompous. Although Wilson will remain a decent starter for years to come, the window for the Seahawks dynasty to reach a Super Bowl has closed.
