The Seattle Seahawks are dealing with contract issues this offseason, as Russell Wilson is talking an extension with the team and so far some progress has been made, but a new deal is not close and this comes as Bobby Wagner is seeking a new contract, while Bruce Irvin could be a trade target after the team did not pick up his fifth year option this spring.
The Seahawks obviously want to keep Wilson long term, but the two sides have so far been unable to come to a new agreement on an extension. Wilson's deal is up after this season since he does not have a fifth year option and that is because he was a third round pick and not a first rounder. There have been numerous reports about the Seahawks and Wilson's negotiations and the progress (or lack thereof) that they have made and his agent said to the Associated Press that the reports were mostly "off point."
According to the Associated Press, Wilson's agent was on the radio and said in an interview that "he's made progress" on a long term deal with the team, but that there is "no deadline" and that "95 percent" of the reports have been not accurate. Earlier in the offseason there were various reports that the Seahawks could consider making the deal partially guaranteed and that a deal was close to being done. According to ESPN 710, Wilson is looking for at least $100 million, while the team has offered a four year extension at $80 million.
Wilson doesn't put up numbers like Tom Brady or Peyton Manning, but the results have been great overall when it comes to the playoffs, as he has won one Super Bowl championship and appeared in another. Wilson has had low number cap hits each of the last few seasons since he was a third round pick and the Seahawks have been comfortable on the cap due to those salary numbers. Now all that is likely to change, as Wilson reportedly wants to be paid like other top tier quarterbacks in the league.
Wilson won the job in training camp when he was a rookie and he has taken the Seahawks to the playoffs in each of his three years as the starter, wining one Super Bowl over the Broncos. Wilson is not the only player dealing with contract issues, as Bruce Irvin has been public about his situation, saying he was upset the team did not pick up his fifth year option. Irvin made some comments about a potential trade and while that still is an option, Pro Football Talk reports that Irvin recently said he "would love to be in Seattle" moving forward.
Irvin did not have his option picked up and linebacker Bobby Wagner is also seeking a new deal with the team. According to the Seattle Times, Wagner said that he hopes to get a contract extension done "soon" with the team. Wagner has become an integral part of the defense for the Seahawks and if Irvin ends up leaving as a free agent, Wagner's role will get even bigger. The Timers reports that Wagner wants around "$8 million" per season and he may have to wait until Wilson signs to get his deal.
