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Baseball May Be A Factor In Russell Wilson Contract Holdup

By Erik Lambert

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Jan 25, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson fields and answers questions during a press conference at the Arizona Grand Hotel in preparation for Super Bowl XLIX. at Arizona Grand Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Most NFL fans would probably faint at the idea of making $21 million per year to play a game.  That may be why Seattle Seahawks faithful are having a hard time understanding what could be going through the head of quarterback Russell Wilson.  Sure, the holdup could be center around the most important numbers like signing bonus and guarantees.

However, could the lingering idea of playing baseball also represent a factor in the problems?

Wilson is well known for being a bigtime baseball lover and has attended spring training with the Texas Rangers.  He has entertained the idea of playing both sports a number of times and is by no means doing so lightly.

"“For me, I’ve played baseball since I was three years old. I’ve loved the game since I was a young kid, so for me, I’ve loved both sports. It was my dad’s dream and it was my dream. I don’t know if it’s going to happen, but I’ll tell you this, I won’t give up football.”"

It’s also important to keep in mind that Wilson is represented by Mark Rodgers of Frontline Athlete Management, who is primarily known for handling baseball players.

"“It’s believed that Wilson, whose agent has in recent years has exclusively represented baseball players, wants a significant portion of the contract to be fully guaranteed. Because the NFL requires all future fully-guaranteed payments to be funded at the initiation of the deal by putting the money into escrow, the Seahawks are expected to push back.”"

Seattle has their reasons to not want a fully guaranteed deal, but they may also not want their two-time Pro Bowl quarterback diverting large portions of his time and effort towards another sport when this team is in the midst of a Super Bowl window.  As smart and hard working as he is, even Wilson has his limits.  Quarterback is a demanding job and if he wants top dollar like the elites, they have good reason to expect full commitment.

Such a combination of variables would then of course lead to obstacles in a new deal and the media fallout that goes with it.

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