Russell Wilson Gives Seahawks Deadline for New Deal
Sources in the NFL have said that Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has given the team a deadline of April 15 for a new deal as he enters his final year of his 2015 contract extension.
Seattle team officials have had contract talks recently with Wilson’s representatives said head coach Pete Carroll during last week’s owners meetings, but sources have said the talks are not that far along.
The April 15 significance is that it is the first day of the offseason program for the Seahawks and one reason for the deadline is Russell Wilson wants to have his contract settled prior to returning to work.
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Last season, Russell Wilson passed for 3,488 yards with 35 touchdowns and will earn in $17 million for the 2019 season and represent a $25.27 million charge to the team’s salary cap.
Seahawks’ team officials usually put off any extension for players that are already under contract until after both the draft and free agency.
In 2015, Wilson set an extension deadline as well, but that date was not until training camp started and both sides were able to agree at the 11th hour on an $87.6 million deal for four years.
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Following his extension in 2015, Wilson said he would have set aside the contract talks and played that final season of his contract had both sides not come to an agreement before the deadline.
When he signed his extension in 2015 Wilson trailed just Aaron Rodgers, who was the highest-paid quarterback at the time, but is currently 12th on that list in terms of average annual salary amongst quarterbacks.
Wilson’s 2018 season was likely the best of his career. He set new highs for touchdown passes with 35 and passer rating at 110.9 and tied a low for interceptions with seven.
Wilson has said he loves Seattle and sees himself being there, but wants to have the contract issue behind him.
