THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: DangeRuss seems to be evolving into TradeARuss

The unthinkable is creeping closer.

Russell Wilson seems to be talking his way out of Seattle.

And, yes, in case you’re wondering…

This whole discussion of Wilson wanting to be traded came as a shock to the Seahawks.

When the 2020 season ended with that unsightly wild-card loss to the Rams, nobody was considering a change at quarterback, although…

Wilson had played very poorly during pretty much the entire second half of the season.

You could argue that the final eight games (plus the playoff game in which he threw a pick-six) were just about the worst of Wilson’s career.

At least over any extended stretch.

Despite that sudden loss of form — which included seven turnovers in back-to-back games against the Bills and Rams — the Seahawks had no plans to be shopping for a quarterback during this offseason.

ON THE other hand, changes were coming that clearly rankled Wilson.

Coach Pete Carroll made it clear that he WAS intending to get back to the run-first, risk-averse offense which has served him so brilliantly throughout a Hall of Fame career.

Carroll, remember, allowed Wilson to enjoy that “Let Russ Cook” assault that marked the first half of the season.

But when Wilson’s play, and especially his decision-making, seemed to fall apart around midseason, Carroll became even more certain that his philosophy — run the ball, hit the occasional long pass, play great defense — was the key to championship football.

Russ, meanwhile, has openly been unhappy about that change.

Call it ego (you’d probably be right), but Wilson believes that he’s a great quarterback, and that he can carry a team to titles if given the right pieces around him.

Shortly after watching Tom Brady grab his seventh Super Bowl trophy, Wilson went on a public-relations offensive.

People close to Russ leaked word that he was unhappy, that he was “looking for a classy way out.”

Wilson himself appeared on “The Dan Patrick Show” and complained about how often he’s sacked, and stated flatly that the offensive line had to be fixed.

That whole approach, throwing your teammates under the bus, is poison to Carroll and GM John Schneider.

IN THE midst of Wilson’s several public statements, his “camp” first put out word that Russ was not looking to leave Seattle.

And frankly, it would be hard for the Seahawks to move him.

Wilson has a no-trade clause, meaning that he can control any possible deal.

On top of that, Seattle would have to eat $39 million in dead cap money if Russ were traded (although that number drops almost in half if any move is made official after June 1).

Just when it appeared that Wilson was satisfied with letting his linemen take the blame, and polishing his ego by having a say in the choice of Shane Waldron as the new offensive coordinator, there was another explosion.

A thorough, well-researched story about Wilson’s situation, and his motives, appeared in The Athletic — and most sources quoted in the story seemed to believe the marriage between Carroll and Wilson was headed for divorce.

Just after that piece became public, Wilson’s agent (Mark Rodgers) indicated that the quarterback wasn’t seeking a trade.

HOWEVER, Rodgers said…

If the Seahawks were interested, the four destinations Wilson would approve were Las Vegas, Dallas, New Orleans and Chicago.

It’s one thing to make conversation about getting sacked on a national TV show.

It’s an entirely different matter when your representative lists four places you’d be willing to go in a trade.

The heat is now on the Seahawks — but in a way, Wilson’s attempted power play might actually work for Carroll.

The coach is pushing 70, but he’s sitting on a five-year contract.

You can assume Pete will dictate the club’s offensive philosophy for the foreseeable future.

Wilson is coming off a horrible finish to last season.

The story in The Athletic included quotes from coaches who said Russ looked panicked in the pocket, and often was guilty of creating the sacks himself.

Now, after playing as poorly as at any time in his career, Wilson has piped up to blame his teammates.

Just a few months ago, you would have laughed out loud at the thought of Russell Wilson being traded.

Now?

The issue is deadly serious.

Email: scameron@cdapress.com

Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. “Moments, Memories and Madness,” his reminiscences from several decades as a sports journalist, runs each Sunday.

Steve also writes Zags Tracker, a commentary on Gonzaga basketball which is published each Tuesday.