The Bears haven’t ‘abandoned hopes’ of landing Russell Wilson

While the Seattle Seahawks turned down a trade offer for quarterback Russell Wilson from the Chicago Bears last week, it appears that this saga might not be over just yet.

For the third straight day, ESPN’s Adam Schefter continues to mention that he doesn’t believe that Wilson won’t be traded this offseason. More than that, he said that Chicago hasn’t exactly abandoned hopes of landing Wilson.

“I’m told that the Bears still are paying attention to Russell Wilson and have not abandoned hopes that they could eventually trade for Russell Wilson,” Schefter said.

“And I think everyone needs to stay tuned to the Russell Wilson situation up to and during the NFL Draft. That is the real touchstone moment, when we will find out whether the Seahawks are or are not willing to trade Russell Wilson.”

The Bears reportedly offered the Seahawks three first-round picks, a third-round pick and two players for Wilson. But Seattle wasn’t going to part ways with Wilson without a replacement at quarterback. Although it sounds like things could change closer to the NFL draft.

“If the Seahawks are going to make a trade with Russell Wilson, they’re going to do it knowing they’re locking into a quarterback that they want,” Schefter said. “You do not make that trade unless you have an obvious successor to Russell Wilson.

“That is something the Bears could not offer this past week with the 20th-overall selection and the roster constituted the way it is.

“But as we get closer to the draft, if there is a team can assure the Seahawks are getting a quarterback, don’t be surprised if we see a Russell Wilson trade.”

At this point, Wilson hasn’t demanded a trade and even said he’d like to remain in Seattle. But Schefter isn’t closing the door on a potential trade just yet.

“I think we have not heard them come out and say, to this point, no, we are not trading Russell Wilson,” Schefter said. “When we hear the Seahawks general manager or head coach, Pete Carroll, say that, then we’ll know Russell Wilson is staying put.

“So much has happened this offseason and in other offseasons, that it may be difficult in the opinion of some around the league, to put the genie back in the bottle.”

Translation: Don’t give up hope yet, Bears fans. But also, don’t get your hopes up.

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