Thursday, March 28, 2024

Russell Wilson & Seahawks Negotiations: ‘10s of Millions’ Apart

Russell Wilson

*Months ago, it seemed like a contract extension between the Seattle Seahawks and Russell Wilson was a forgone conclusion.

But nowadays, it looks like a big question mark is present regarding where both parties are at regarding contract negotiations. According to 710 ESPN Seattle, not much progress is happening between Wilson and the Seahawks, as the team’s current offer of a four-year, $80 million extension falls way short of what the quarterback is looking for and expects. To sum it up, the site labels the back and forth between the two parties as being “ ‘closer to 10s of millions’ apart on a salary number.”

To break it down more, CBS‘s Jason La Canfora mentioned that the contract the Seahawks are offering Wilson in line with contracts for Andy Dalton and Colin Kaepernick, rather than top quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers and Ben Roethlisberger.

“What I know is the Seahawks’ initial offer looked very much like the sort of band-aid bridge contracts that went to Andy Dalton and Colin Kaepernick, according to sources, with signing bonuses more in line with the $11 million Seattle handed out recently to Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas, and a pay-as-you-go structure like the lesser Dalton/Kaepernick deals,” La Canfora wrote. “The average per year is nowhere close to the range of the top quarterbacks in the NFL, and with Ben Roethlisberger recently joining that club and Andrew Luck and Cam Newton poised to do the same in the next 12 months, I would be absolutely shocked if Wilson did any deal that wouldn’t put him among the best in the game.”

Looking at both sides, 710 ESPN Seattle highlighted Seattle’s dilemma in paying Wilson $20 or more. If the team did so, it would “take away their biggest competitive advantage — namely, their ability to use their salary cap money elsewhere because Wilson’s rookie contract is so cheap.” As a result, the team is active in trying to keep that advantage, in light of players like Bobby Wagner being up for new contracts.

With Wilson, the site shined a light on his accomplishments, including the fact that no other quarterback has posted as many wins or led his team to two trips to the Super Bowl in his first three years in the NFL. As such, Wilson’s track record right now causes him to be “within his right to want to be paid as such.”

Despite the angle from Russell and the Seahawks, nothing has resulted from their negotiations. With more than two months to go before training camp, La Canfora believes Wilson may put an extension on hold so he can focus on the upcoming season.

Should they not reach an extension during the summer, La Canfora feels the Seahawks may have to place the franchise tag on Wilson in 2016 (and maybe even 2017), which would pay him about $25 million.”

“And if he played that out, he could potentially hit free agency before age 30, he would have finally made some real NFL money over two seasons, and, if he stays on anything close to the career arc he has been on, you’re looking at potentially the most coveted free agent in NFL history,” La Canfora stated.

Nevertheless, anything is possible as negotiations could take a solid turn towards the positive in the coming weeks, despite nothing happening currently.

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