With the 2020 NFL season still months away, a juicy new rumor is dominating the news. According to former quarterback Chris Simms, the Seattle Seahawks and Cleveland Browns once discussed a possible trade involving Russell Wilson.

In speaking with ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio, Simms said he was told Seattle might have offered Wilson to Cleveland in exchange for the No.1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. The Browns used that pick to select Baker Mayfield.

Cleveland also had the No.4 pick in the 2018 draft. The Browns used that selection on cornerback Denzel Ward, who made the Pro Bowl as a rookie.

Cleveland went 0-16 in the season before that draft. Seattle went 9-7 and missed the playoffs for the only time during Wilson’s tenure with the Seahawks.

Simms acknowledged that he doesn’t know how serious the trade talks were. It’s hard to believe that Seattle really would have dealt Cleveland its franchise quarterback.

A source told Florio that the notion of trading Wilson was “floated.” That’s much different than the Seahawks actually telling the Browns that they could have the quarterback in exchange for a draft pick.

A year after the 2018 draft, Seattle made Wilson the highest-paid quarterback in NFL history. He signed a four-year, $140 million contract. Wilson still leads all players with a $35 million average yearly salary.

Florio did note that some close to the situation believe Wilson will eventually be traded. That wouldn’t happen for at least another few years, because of Wilson’s productivity and the salary cap hit that the Seahawks would face for dealing the quarterback.

Wilson is coming off arguably the best season of his career. He threw for 4,110 yards, 31 touchdowns and five interceptions with a 106.3 passer rating. A Second-Team All-Pro selection, Wilson probably would’ve been the 2019 MVP if Lamar Jackson didn’t win the award.

Only Aaron Rodgers has a better career passer rating than Wilson. The veteran has a 101.2 rating with an 86-41-1 record. Wilson has never missed a start or finished below .500 in eight NFL seasons.

Wilson has made it to the Pro Bowl in all but one year.

Wilson led Seattle to an 11-5 record and a divisional playoff appearance last year, despite the Seahawks ranking 26th in total defense.

Russell Wilson Seattle Seahawks
Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks passes against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago, Sep. 17, 2018. The Bears defeated the Seahawks 24-17. Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
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