Russell Wilson will spend March searching for his next NFL home with the Denver Broncos planning to release him. But Wilson’s next stop won’t be Charlotte, N.C.
New Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales addressed the possibility of the Super Bowl-winning passer joining his team, including why it’s not a fit for the nine-time Pro Bowler.
Dave Canales Shuts Down Russell Wilson to Carolina Rumor
Speaking 1-on-1 with Up & Adams host Kay Adams on Wednesday, Canales addressed the popular online fan idea of Wilson and the rookie HC rejoining each other.
After all, Wilson delivered some of his final best moments in Seattle with Canales in his corner. Canales spent 2010 to 2022 with the Seahawks during a time when Wilson was a perennial Pro Bowler in the Pacific Northwest. But here’s what Canales said about those reunion thoughts.
“This is not the situation for Russ,” Canales told Adams.
One reason points to Bryce Young already being established as the QB1 for the Panthers. Canales spoke highly of the 2023 first-overall pick, and that includes stating how he has no plans to “fix” Young following a disastrous rookie season that ended with an NFL-worst 2-15 mark. He simply has a vision to allow Young “to do his part.”
Back to Wilson, he may not be considered in high demand for the free agent quarterback market following his rough tenure as a Bronco. Wilson was heavily criticized for never getting into an offensive rhythm for Denver.
He posted his worst completion percentage (60.5%) immediately following the 2022 trade. Despite improving his touchdowns from 16 to 26 in 2023, Wilson’s yardage took a dip to 3,070 (he settled for 3,524 playing for Nathaniel Hackett in ’22).
Lastly, Wilson got benched in the final two regular season games — though that move was perceived as a cap-saving act with Wilson looking at a possible $37 million base salary with risk of injury.
Again, Wilson’s time in Seattle saw all of his Pro Bowl seasons with Canales on Pete Carroll’s staff. Canales was Carroll’s passing game coordinator during Wilson’s lone 40-touchdown season in 2020 and in his last Pro Bowl campaign in 2021.
Canales Has Message Involving Wilson’s Denver Run
Wilson’s production took damage in the Rocky Mountains. Many fans have had a strong critique of his last two seasons.
Canales, though, isn’t one of those critical people.
“I will say about him: Taking that chance and opportunity to go to Denver, I really admire him for that,” Canales said.
In the mind of Canales, this was a situation where Wilson was willing to step out of his comfort zone.
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“I really admire the courage it took to say, ‘I’m going to branch out away from what I’m comfortable with,'” Canales said. “He really gambled on himself to go and try to do something a different way to see what that can become.”
With Carolina out of the running for Wilson per Canales’ words, he’s being projected to join the Las Vegas Raiders by PFN’s Dallas Robinson.
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