Carolina Panthers should be on red alert for Russell Wilson
By Dean Jones
Could Scott Fitterer hold the key?
Scott Fitterer was a shrewd pickup by the Carolina Panthers. The new general manager built up a strong reputation during his time with the Seattle Seahawks, playing a leading role in their exceptional drafts in recent years and few would deny he wasn’t worthy of such a promotion after some sterling work behind the scenes.
As fortune would have it, Fitterer was the director of college scouting when the Seahawks selected Russell Wilson at No. 75 overall in the 2012 NFL Draft.
While some deemed the quarterback a little undersized for the next level, Fitterer identified Wilson as a potentially elite signal-caller, and to say Seattle benefitted as a result would be something of an understatement.
Wilson has made seven Pro Bowls so far – including during his rookie season – and led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl title in only his second year under center. He boasts a career record of 98-45-1, has thrown for 33,946 yards, 267 touchdowns, and just 81 interceptions, with the player managing 4,506 rushing yards and 21 scores on the ground.
Not bad for a player few gave a chance to make a go of things in the NFL.
In some ways, Wilson owes Fitterer a great deal of gratitude for showing the necessary faith in him following a sensational career at Wisconsin. Whether this will play a factor in the Panthers making a bombshell trade for the signal-caller is up for debate. But the link between him and Fitterer is there for all to see.