Russell Wilson Signs New Contract With Seattle Seahawks
Russell Wilson has some huge news for his fans. Wilson has signed with the Seattle Seahawks, ending a stressful negotiation period during the NFL off-season. The two-time Super Bowl quarterback took to Twitter on Friday (July 31) to reveal that he had indeed signed an extension with the Seahawks. Now the two sides can get back to the business of winning the NFC for a third straight year.
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
A report from NFL provides more details on a deal that will make him one of the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL. Wilson’s new contract is for four years and $87.6 million. It includes a $31 million signing bonus and $60 million worth of guaranteed money. It hasn’t yet been clarified whether the deal encompasses the 2015 NFL season, or whether the new contract tacks on four additional seasons.
As previously reported by the Inquisitr, Seattle Seahawks rumors have Kam Chancellor beginning a holdout. At least the front office has settled its negotiations with Wilson, allowing the focus to shift more easily back to Chancellor. The All Pro safety feels that he deserves a pay raise for the 2015 NFL season and beyond, something that might be tough to accommodate with the current salary cap.
Regarding Russell Wilson and his contract extension, this now puts him among the elite quarterbacks in the NFL when it comes to average salary. The highest paid quarterbacks right now are Aaron Rodgers ($22.0 million), Ben Roethlisberger ($21.85 million), Cam Newton ($20.76 million), Matt Ryan ($20.75 million), and Joe Flacco ($20.1 million). Wilson will slot either right ahead or right behind Roethlisberger, depending on whether his new contract adds on or replaces the 2015 NFL season. Either way, Wilson just got a huge payday from the front office in Seattle.
The pressure is now on to get the Seahawks back to the Super Bowl this year, especially now that Wilson is being paid at a top-tier rate. He also got a new weapon in tight end Jimmy Graham, giving Wilson a target over the middle to check down to. Graham alone could make this an even better offense than the 2014 version. Fans should expect the NFL analysts to start debating about how much this new contract will pay Russell Wilson, but the fact to focus on is that he is locked up long-term now.
[Image Source: Michael Buckner/Getty Images For KCSports2015]
