Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks have not come close in contract talks about an extension this off-season and moving forward the team could consider a trade with the quarterback or the use of the franchise tag in the future, as Wilson reportedly is looking for a deal around $25 million as one of the highest paid players in the NFL.
Wilson was interviewed on ESPN and he threw out the $25 million figure and now Pro Football Talk reports that his agent Mark Rodgers is "pumping" up that number. Jason Cole at Bleacher Report wrote this week that Wilson wants to be one of the highest paid players in football and that means a deal over $20 million. The Seahawks reportedly have offered a four year deal around $80 million, but Wilson is looking for a five year deal around $100 million, according to the Seattle Times.
Pro Football Talk has written about the negotiations and Mike Florio gave his opinion, writing that Wilson likely will be with the Seahawks if he demands that much money. The Seahawks love Wilson, but they may not value him that much even after he has won a Super Bowl and taken the team to another back to back Super Bowl appearance. Florio floated the trade idea and the franchise tag idea as options to keep Wilson, who is getting paid just $1.5 million this season in Seattle.
The situation with Wilson has not progressed much over the offseason and now things could get some pressure after Ryan Tannehill signed his extension. According to ESPN.com, Wilson and the Seahawks are millions of dollars apart and that could cause them not to get an extension done this offseason. Wilson is in line to get paid big after making it to the Super Bowl twice and winning one and he now has a number to aim for, as Tannehill signed a six year deal at over $90 million.
Wilson reportedly wants $20 million per season and so far the Seahawks have not offered him a deal that high. According to the Seattle Times, the team has offered a four-year extension worth close to $80 million and Wilson is looking for more, which could cause Wilson to play out his rookie contract. Wilson has been a small cap hit for the Seahawks for the first few years of his deal and now he has the chance to get paid.
Wilson does not have a fifth year option since he was a third round draft pick and that makes his rise even more impressive. The Seahawks obviously know what he brings to the table, but they have to be careful on the cap with Jimmy Graham, Marshawn Lynch and other contracts taking up space. Wilson obviously deserves his share as well, especially after getting six figures in the first few years of his contract.
The team could franchise Wilson for a couple seasons and he would get paid a lot, but that also would not secure him long term for the team. According to the Seattle Times, Bruce Irvin and Michael Bennett have made issues about their contracts this offseason and they could be trade targets at some point. Bennett said he wants more money, while Irvin was upset he did not have his fifth year option picked up.
