The Seattle Seahawks and Russell Wilson are working on a contract extension this summer and the quarterback would like to get a deal done before training camp starts, as Wilson may stop negotiations once camp opens up and now the two sides are currently trying to get an agreement done.
Wilson is coming into the final year of his deal and reports have the QB looking to be one of the highest paid players in football. According to ESPN and NFL.com, Wilson will "pull the plug" on contract talks if a deal is not done by the time training camp starts. Wilson has been in the league three years and he does not have a fifth year option in his deal since he was a third round pick and not a first rounder like Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin.
Wilson has put up strong numbers and has taken his team to the playoffs all three years he has been in the league. Wilson has won a Super Bowl and has appeared in another and he is looking to get paid like some of the other top quarterbacks in the league. Mark Rodgers is Wilson's agent and a report from the Seattle Times has Rodgers treating things like baseball, which is where he gained most of his experience. Rodgers is trying to use the idea of free agency to his advantage in talks and that could get the Seahawks to meet their asking price.
According to NFL.com, as negotiations have moved along, one "sticking point" for Wilson's side has been the guaranteed money and signing bonus in the deal. Pro Football Talk reports that the Seahawks have offered Wilson $21 million in "new money" and that could make the deal between $80 million and $90 million. Wilson is making $1.54 million this season and he comes in after making less than six figures in each of his first two seasons.
If Wilson and the Seahawks can't agree on a deal, there is a good chance that the team will use the franchise tag on him after next season. Cam Newton received $30 million in his deal up front and Wilson may want more than that and that could keep the sides from agreeing before camp. Wilson comes in after putting up 26 total touchdowns last season with a career low seven interceptions and a career best 3475 passing yards. Wilson has completed at least 63 percent of his passes in each of his three seasons and last year he had his best rushing performance with 849 yards and six touchdowns.
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