ESPN insider predicts Russell Wilson as 'long shot' starting QB for Saints, Eagles in 2023
The Denver Broncos made one of the biggest splashes of a frantic NFL offseason when they acquired nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson in a March blockbuster with the Seattle Seahawks. Wilson has made it clear that he wants to play in Denver for a "long, long time," but the fact remains that as of Friday, he is only signed through the 2023 season.
ESPN insider Dan Graziano came out with his "2023 NFL quarterback market predictions" on Friday morning, as he made some bold guesses as to which signal-callers will be starting for 17 of the league's 32 teams. Two of the groups he analyzed were the New Orleans Saints and Philadelphia Eagles.
While Graziano said that the "most likely outcome" for both the Saints and Eagles regarding who will be starting under center next year are their current starters, Wilson's name was floated as possibilities for both New Orleans and Philadelphia.
"Winston is back as the starter after an injury-shortened 2021 season, and at age 28 he's hoping to write a brilliant second chapter of his career in New Orleans. It could absolutely happen if he stays healthy," Graziano writes. "The Saints appear to have a strong team around him, with a championship-caliber defense and the likely return of former No. 1 wide receiver Michael Thomas to help him out. But there's no guaranteed money left on Winston's contract after 2022, and all options are open for both him and the Saints (who tried to get Deshaun Watson before he went to Cleveland and went back to Winston only once that didn't work out)."
For the most likely outcome in "The Big Easy," Graziano wrote "Winston does well and signs a longer-term extension with the team," but for the "long shot," he wrote "Russell Wilson, if the Broncos don't extend him. New Orleans was on Wilson's list of four teams a year ago. Remember that? Seems like so long ago now..."
He had a similar analysis on the situation in Philadelphia with highly-touted youngster Jalen Hurts currently at the reins.
"It hasn't been perfect by any means, but Hurts showed the Eagles enough last year to earn another shot in 2022 to prove he can be their franchise QB. Philly has built a strong-looking team around him, with depth on defense, a good offensive line and an exciting blend of skill at receiver and tight end. If Hurts can take the next step in his own development, the Eagles could easily be a playoff team in 2022. They're already a popular pick to steal the NFC East away from the defending champion Cowboys. However, if they come out of this season unconvinced on Hurts, they have two first-round picks with which to find a replacement," Graziano wrote. "I've had plenty of evaluators tell me they don't think Hurts has the ability as a passer to last long term. But I just think the young man has the right kind of stuff inside of him to prove people wrong and succeed where others think he can't. I believe he showed more improvement in 2021 than the Eagles expected and believe he can do it again in 2022."
If Hurts doesn't pan out with the Eagles, Graziano said of Wilson's chances: "Yeah, it's a real long shot, and it assumes A) Wilson's first year in Denver doesn't go well, and B) the new owners don't want to sign him to the kind of long-term deal he's seeking. Philly has multiple first-rounders to deal, and if Hurts flames out, I would expect Howie Roseman to take a big, big swing at a replacement."
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