Russell Wilson Confirms He’s Willing To Play Out Rookie Contract If Needed

Seahawks QB Russell Wilson confirmed that he’s prepared to play out the 2015 season under his rookie contract if they can’t reach an agreement on a long-term extension in the coming months.

“Yeah, I’m prepared for that 100 percent, if that’s the case,” Wilson said, via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. “You know, I want to be here for a long time, but if that’s the case I’ve just got to get ready to play. I love the game, and I love being out here with these guys and just playing, and so ultimately I just take it one day at a time and just see where it takes me.”

Wilson is still optimistic that every thing will work out in time, but added that his focus remains on football for the time being.

“I’m focused on football. I’m going to be the boring, cliché answer, but it’s the truth,” Wilson said.  “Ultimately I believe it will work out, hope that it does. I just take one day at a time. It’s a private matter. I don’t really talk about that kind of stuff. I’m here to play football and he’s there (his agent) to work out deals and figure out things. My focus is on football and trying to win football games for us.”

Mark Rodgers, Wilson’s agent, recently appeared on the Brock and Salk Show of ESPN 710 Seattle and discussed the current status of contract talks regarding this client.

According to Rodgers, they’ve made progress and characterized the talks as “positive and encouraging.”

“I would characterize our talks as ongoing, fluid, robust at times, thoughtful,” Rodgers said, via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times.  “And we’ve made progress . … I would characterize them as positive and encouraging.”

According to Rodgers, there are no deadlines for an agreement, but Wilson would be “absolutely fine’’ playing out the final year of his rookie contract.

“Financially, we planned long-term for him to play for the $1.5 million dollars (in 2015),” Rodgers said. “So there isn’t any expectation of additional money coming in from the Seattle Seahawks this coming year.’

Rodgers added that the goal remains to get a long-term agreement in place that will keep Wilson with the Seahawks long-term.

“[A]s long as I’m talking with the Seahawks it’s with a tone of optimism. … the goal here is at the end of the day we have a successful negotiation with the Seahawks,’’ Rodgers said.

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.