Seahawks, Wilson Agree to Near-Record Contract Extension
As the Seahawk fantastic drafting begins to mount on them financially, their biggest asset has just received the contract extension he deserves. First reported by Sports Illustrated’s Peter King Friday morning, the Seahawks and Super Bowl winning quarterback Russell Wilson agreed to a four-year $87.6 million extension. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport says that $60 million is guaranteed and that the deal has a $31 million signing bonus. The two parties supposedly worked late into the night Thursday to complete this deal as Seahawks training camp opened. The two parties reportedly beat a 1 pm deadline by just over two hours.
Russell Wilson and the Seahawks have agreed to a 4-year, $87.6-million extension, per source.
— Peter King (@peter_king) July 31, 2015
For his 4-year, $87.6M contract, #Seahawks QB Russell Wilson gets $31M to sign, $60M guaranteed. The two sides worked deep into the night.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 31, 2015
The extension was something that had reportedly dragged on for several months, as Wilson wanted to earn the most guaranteed money in the NFL. His $60 million matches Cam Newton for second most, while Wilson’s division foe Colin Kaepernick collects a cool $61 million guaranteed. As for per year money, Wilson sits second behind Aaron Rodgers by a mere $100,000. Wilson earned $526,217 last year when he took the Seahawks to back-to-back Super Bowl appearances.
Drafted in the third round of a quarterback heavy 2012 draft, Wilson came out of Wisconsin with somewhat low expectations. He was known for his speed and elusive, playmaking ability, but was knocked for being 5’11. He entered rookie camp set to fight for the starting job, and beat out Tavaris Jackson. Wilson has gone to back-to-back Super Bowls, winning his first and loosing his second to the Patriots. In his career, Wilson has 9,950 passing yards, 72 TD, 26 INT, and a 98.6 QBR.
Blessed to be w/ this organization for 4 more years! Can't wait to get on field w/ the fellas! @Seahawks #ChampionshipMindset #GoHawks
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) July 31, 2015
The Seahawks now face the task of giving Kam Chancellor, who is holding out, a contract extension, as well as Michael Bennett and Bobby Wagner. Running back Marshawn Lynch just received his deal, but that contract is just for a couple of seasons.