Seahawks

Agreement Between Seahawks & Russell Wilson Unlikely Before Training Camp

July 19, 2015

According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, some around the league who seem to think there’s a better chance of the Seahawks and QB Russell Wilson eventually working out an agreement than most believe.

However, Florio adds that “more and more league insiders and observers believe there’s no chance a deal will be done by the start of training camp.”

In the end, Florio expects the situation to come down to Wilson’s asking price and willingness to possibly leave some money on the table that will allow Seattle to retain some of their other free agents.

This past week, Ian Rapoport reported that Wilson is looking to be paid as if he were a free agent, despite the fact that he still has another year remaining on his rookie contract.

A source who has spoken with Wilson tells Rapoport, that Wilson doesn’t necessarily want to become a free agent, but wants to be paid as though he was.
Florio previously mentioned that this would, essentially, shift the risk of injury and ineffectiveness to the Seahawks by securing a contract that would pay him market value.
According to Rapoport, contract talks between the two sides will likely come to a halt at the start of training camp.
Rapoport points out that Wilson’s agent, Mark Rodgers, has history of cutting off talks for good and in turn increasing the likelihood that his client will test the open market.
The two sides aren’t any closer to an agreement, according to Rapoport, and the idea of a fully guaranteed contract hasn’t left his Wilson’s mind.
Rapoport still expects contract talks to pick up in the coming weeks as training camp draws near. However, it appears as though Wilson is headed for the exclusive franchise tag in 2016, which will pay him more than $25 million.

Wilson, 26, still has one year remaining on his four-year, $2.198 million rookie contract, which includes a base salary of $798,651 for the 2015 season.

In 2014, Wilson threw for 3,475 yards while completing 63.1 percent of his passes for 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also ran for 849 yards and scored six rushing touchdowns over the course of 16 games.