The Seattle Seahawks are working to get contracts complete heading into training camp, but so far Russell Wilson is not one of them. The team has several marquee players preparing for free agency in 2016 and the task of bringing them all back is not an easy one. With Wilson's deal expected to reach new heights, the Seahawks are tackling easier contracts first.
According to NFL Media Insider Rand Getlin via NFL.com, the Seahawks are very optimistic they will get a long-term contract wrapped up with Bobby Wagner in the coming days. Wagner is making just under $1 million in the final year of his rookie contract and is expected to see a huge pay raise in his next deal after being named to first-team All Pro and earning an MVP vote last season. Wagner has emerged as one of the premier middle linebackers in the league and the Seahawks believe re-signing him is the easiest first move.
Contract talks for Wilson remain ongoing. According to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport, Wilson wants to be the highest paid player in the league and he certainly has the resume to fit that desire, but the Seahawks do not necessarily want to give up the cap space for it. Getting Wagner under contract means that is one less player the Seahawks have to worry about using their franchise tag on which means that might be the likely outcome for Wilson in 2016.
The quarterback is easily the Seahawks' most important upcoming free agent. Getting other contracts finalized first means a lot of other stressors are off the table when negotiations continue with the quarterback. Bruce Irvin is looking for a new contract as he plays out the final year of his deal. However, ESPN has reported that the Seahawks will not be giving the defensive star a new deal this offseason. They will let Irvin play out the last year while risking losing him for nothing in return. Irvin already made headlines once saying he would be playing in Atlanta next year. The Seahawks will find out if that is true.
Another player not getting a contract this offseason is Michael Bennett who held out this offseason to stress that he wants a new contract. Bennett still has years left on his deal which means the Seahawks are not jumping to get him a contract right now. Jermaine Kearse and Robert Turbin are also two players left to play out the final years of their contract which means things could get messy for Seattle in 2016.