Niner Noise
FanSided

The top NFL player to watch from each team in 2017

By Peter Panacy

Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter in the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter in the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 15, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) reacts after throwing a touchdown pass against the Los Angeles Rams during the fourth quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 15, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) reacts after throwing a touchdown pass against the Los Angeles Rams during the fourth quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

Seattle Seahawks — Quarterback Russell Wilson

ESPN’s Seth Wickersham’s jaw-dropping report on all the problems going on within the Seattle Seahawks’ locker room surely opened up some eyes.

At the heart of the report was the notion Seattle defensive players, including cornerback Richard Sherman, resent quarterback Russell Wilson for a number of reasons. While the Seahawks defense has largely carried the team to two Super Bowls and a number of playoff appearances, the report suggests Wilson has been the favorite and has been protected.

Sherman might have been at the heart of these issues, which could explain why he was the subject of trade discussions this offseason. But the real story will be how Wilson responds .

Wilson has certainly earned the right be be discussed as one of the NFL’s better quarterbacks, perhaps even on the fringe of being elite.

Yet one of the most pressing problems with Seattle the past couple of seasons has been its offensive line.

Protecting Wilson was a major issue last year, as he was sacked a whopping 41 times — tied for second in the NFL in 2016.

So Wilson has both locker-room concerns and a porous O-line to overcome this season.

But hey, Colin Kaepernick?