Russell Wilson Seahawks Contract Talks: Wilson And Seahawks Are Millions Apart

Russell Wilson’s Seattle Seahawks contract talks are making news this weekend, and the news is not good for Seattle Seahawks fans. The contract talks have been going slowly in recent days, and they are now reportedly at a standstill.

News of the issues with the contract negotiations popped up on Friday. The issue is over money. Initial reports had a contract of $120 million with at least $60 million guaranteed. An NFL report back in February stated that it was possible that his entire contract would be fully guaranteed. Ian Rappaport from NFL All Access spoke about that possibility.

“According to the people I’ve spoken to, it is not out of the realm of possibility that Russell Wilson will receive the first fully guaranteed contract extension for a quarterback — something that is a rarity in the NFL — not a rarity, it does not happen. It simply does not happen, but in this case it really might happen and (Seahawks general manager) John Schneider has talked about it in the past, an unconventional type of contract.”

That is not going to happen, it seems. According to My Northwest, Seattle has offered Wilson a four-year extension at $20 million per year. That would make his four-year total $80 million. That is far from $120 million. In fact, it is $40 million less than that. This season, he will still earn $1.5 million to play.

Jason La Canfora from CBS Sports has given fans more insight into the contract negotiations.

“What I know is the Seahawks’ initial offer looked very much like the sort of band-aid bridge contracts that went to Andy Dalton and Colin Kaepernick, according to sources, with signing bonuses more in line with the $11 million Seattle handed out recently to Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas, and a pay-as-you-go structure like the lesser Dalton/Kaepernick deals. The average per year is nowhere close to the range of the top quarterbacks in the NFL, and with Ben Roethlisberger recently joining that club and Andrew Luck and Cam Newton poised to do the same in the next 12 months, I would be absolutely shocked if Wilson did any deal that wouldn’t put him among the best in the game.”

Wilson has shown he can perform. Wilson has taken his team to the Super Bowl and won. He was not picked in the first round in the 2012 draft. He was not even picked in the second round. He was the 75th pick overall that year, and he will make only $3 million for his first four seasons total.

He has shown on the football field that he is worth more than that, and he is only improving as a player as he continues in the NFL. However, the Seattle Seahawks are having a difficult time with that pay raise. It would be a raise of $19 million from what he is currently making. This large raise amount would hurt the Seattle Seahawks because it would take away some from their salary cap.

Pete Carroll has spoken about the contract negotiations with ESPN, according to Fox Sports.

“It’s ongoing, but going a little slow. We’re waiting to hear from their side. Every guy’s individual case [on contract negotiations] is different. Russell has been an extraordinary player for us and for our community. We hope to get something done as soon as we can and we’re working at it. But there are parts that are moving here. We’ve worked very hard to keep this team together and Russell is a huge part of that. He’s going to be with us and we’re excited about moving forward with him.”

With the Russell Wilson contract negotiations at a standstill, it is possible that Wilson will play out his rookie contract without an extension and receive a franchise tag for the 2016 season. That tag would bring him a minimum of $18.5 million, according to Pabaon News.

Wilson does not seem to be too worried about the contract talks at the moment though. He was out in D.C. on Saturday night with rumored girlfriend Ciara. According to The BF, Wilson attended Ciara’s concert on Saturday night. Afterward, the pair went out to party together. They shared selfies of their night out on social media.

Ciara and Russell Wilson in DC last night (May 9) pic.twitter.com/ZidRhRq4L9

— CiaraFever.com (@CiaraFever) May 10, 2015

Ciara spoke about Wilson during a radio interview earlier this week, according to Design & Trend.

“All I can say to you is that he is really is an awesome person. I can definitely say that. I can’t really tell you so much right now, to tell you the truth. One day at a time with everything.”

Russell Wilson is known as one of the genuine nice guys in the NFL. He gives off his time and money to help out others. According a previous Inquisitr report shared earlier this month, Russell Wilson showed off his giving side when he paid for an upgrade to first class for a soldier on his flight. Football fans are buzzing about these contract talks on social media this weekend. They want Russell Wilson to cement his future with the Seattle Seahawks.

@DangeRussWilson Don’t be greedy! Think what you have been if the #Seahawks did not drafted you. #Respect #greedy

— WhatMakesYouTick? (@dineshvelupula) May 10, 2015

I hope Seattle will get to keep @DangeRussWilson! http://t.co/a3imT9XCb9 #paythemanwhathewants

— Candace Walker (@Bellagospel) May 10, 2015

@DangeRussWilson close the gap, sign the deal.

— HawkTalk (@panthiesba) May 10, 2015

What do you think? Should the Seahawks give Russell Wilson a big $100 million plus contract extension?

[Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images]