2021 NFL Special Bets: Russell Wilson Move Heating Up Odds Amid Chicago Bears Rumors

Super Bowl XLVIII champion Russell Wilson may have received his last snap as a Seattle Seahawk under growing suspicions the pair could part ways in one of the biggest trades in years.

After nine seasons at Lumen Field and having led Seattle into the playoffs in eight of those, rumors are gathering momentum that 2021 could be the year Wilson leaves the franchise who drafted him in 2012. There’s a lot of negotiating to be done, and it won’t come cheap for any team hoping to seal the deal, but it’s understood the recent divisions between Wilson and head coach Pete Carroll could be enough to help move a trade in the right direction.

As things stand, the Seahawks are still the favorites to employ their quarterback come Week 1 of the 2021 season, but the Chicago Bears’ price has been sliced to +300 with Betrivers as they look to enlist a superstar shot-caller. Chicago have lacked the presence of an elite passer since Jay Cutler’s early days with the franchise, but 32-year-old Wilson would provide just that—and more.

Betrivers are one of the few sportsbooks currently offering special odds on Wilson’s next team after recent developments, with betting insider Sam Pananotovich detailing their removal from certain sites, as well as the Bears’ Super Bowl odds spiralling at the same time:

We saw sportsbooks take down Russell Wilson "next team" betting odds yesterday. Books also shortened the Bears future odds to win the division, conference and title.

One bookmaker just told me:

"I’ve done a full 180. I’m all aboard the Russ to Chicago hype train."

Oh snap.

— Sammy P (@spshoot) March 11, 2021

That reads as one coincidence too far should stories regarding Wilson’s happiness in Seattle prove accurate, though a move as massive as this could run for several months more.

NFL Insider Adam Schefter described the Bears as “the most desperate” to recruit a star quarterback after another underwhelming season with Mitch Trubisky throwing:

.@AdamSchefter when asked about the Russell Wilson to Chicago speculation:

"The Bears are THE most desperate team to go land a quarterback." pic.twitter.com/PuZBD3DmWL

— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) March 8, 2021

Matthew Stafford was the first elite quarterback to change his surroundings this off-season after he left the Detroit Lions for the Los Angeles Rams, and Wilson could follow suit as another loyal pro who has only represented one NFL team to date. The veteran threw a career-best 40 regular-season touchdowns last year, joint alongside Super Bowl winner Tom Brady and second only to Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers (48).

There’s every reason to buy the hype that acquiring a QB of that quality could transform the Bears into championship contenders in a short space of time, and it’s hard not to invest at +300 odds.

Prediction: Russell Wilson starts 2021 NFL season with Chicago Bears (+300)

Russell Wilson’s NFL Team for 2021 Season Kick-Off Odds