Drafting Russell Wilson changed everything for Pete Carroll's Seahawks, but the third-year quarterback very nearly wound up throwing passes for the Eagles.
NFL Media's Daniel Jeremiah weaved a tale of intrigue on his newly minted *Move the Sticks Podcast*, revealing that Wilson was on Philly's radar long before Seattle grabbed him in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft.
Jeremiah, who at the time worked as West Coast scout for the Eagles, told listeners that Wilson "was a guy we really, really liked" in the lead-up to the annual selection process.
"I can tell you a bunch of stories about my communication with him during that process," Jeremiah said. "For example, I interviewed him at the Senior Bowl. At the end of the interview, you always ask for players' numbers so you can get in touch with them -- he asked for my number. And then I would get text messages from him periodically saying, 'If the Eagles draft me, I will lead the Eagles to championships.' You know he would send me these text messages.
"... So leading up, even the day of the draft, the first day of the draft: 'If the Eagles draft me I will lead them to championships.' He was sending me these text messages," Jeremiah said. "Well, we really liked him, and I thought there was a very real chance he was going to end up being a Philadelphia Eagle there. And then of course, Seattle ends up taking him."
That pick by Seahawks general manager John Schneider greatly altered the course of the NFC, but we can't help but wonder what Wilson would have become in a pairing with Philly's Chip Kelly.
There's more to this story, but we won't steal Jeremiah's fire. Do yourself a favor and check out his grand new 'cast right here.
In the latest "Move The Sticks Podcast" Daniel Jeremiah chats with his former boss and Philadelphia Eagles GM Howie Roseman about Chip Kelly's innovate methods, Nick Foles and more.