Latest On Contract Talks Between Seahawks & Russell Wilson

Ian Rapoport mentioned during a radio interview with Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk on Friday that Seahawks QB Russell Wilson wants to be paid as if he were a free agent.

Florio sums up Wilson’s position in contract talks as him attempting to shift the risk of injury and ineffectiveness to the Seahawks by securing a contract that would pay him market value, despite the fact that he still has one year remaining on his rookie agreement.

According to Florio, it’s unlikely that a deal will be in place between the parties before the start of training camp, assuming that Wilson is in fact looking to be paid like a free agent.

Florio adds that a deal won’t be done until next year, at the earliest and leaves the possibility open that Wilson could be playing for a team other than Seahawks in 2016.

However, Florio doesn’t rule out the possibility that Seattle could use their exclusive franchise tag on Wilson and then seek more than two first-round picks for their quarterback in the event they’re willing to move on from him.

Earlier in the week, Rapoport reported that contract talks between the two sides will likely come to a halt at the start of training camp.

At that point in time, Wilson will focus strictly on football and the team as they prepare for the 2015 season.

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.

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.

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.