The Seattle Seahawks and quarterback Russell Wilson agreed to a contract extension. The deal is four years worth $87.6 million, averaging $21.9 million a year. $60 million of the $87.6 million is guaranteed. Only Aaron Rodgers is getting paid more a year at $22 million. Wilson gave the Seahawks organization a deadline of today, otherwise contract talks would have resumed after the season. The Seahawks would have been forced to apply the franchise tag on him in February. They don’t have to worry about that now. Is Wilson really worth that much money?
Russell Wilson has proven in his 1st three years in the league that he deserves a pay raise. His stats tell it all. Wilson has thrown for 9,950 yards for 72 touchdowns. He protected the football well with only 26 interceptions. His completion percentage is an outstanding 63.4%. That’s only part of the story.
Wilson is an exceptional starting quarterback. His record is 36-12. According to ESPN, the wins are the most in the Super Bowl era in a players’ 1st three seasons. That is better than Dan Marino, Matt Ryan, and Andrew Luck. They only won a total of 33 games in their 1st three seasons. Wilson is one of the best quarterbacks in the game at comebacks in the fourth quarter or overtime. Since the start of the 2012 season, his rookie year, he has 11, game winning drives. This ties Andrew Luck and Mathew Stafford for second-most all time, only Tony Romo has more at 13.
Wilson guided Seattle to two Super Bowls, winning one of them. He was the youngest quarterback to start two Super Bowls. According to ESPN, Wilson was 26 years and 64 days old when he started last years’ Super Bowl. When Tom Brady started his 1st two Super Bowls he was 118 days older.
The Seattle Seahawks had to keep Russell Wilson even if it meant to overpay him. He is their franchise quarterback. If they couldn’t agree on a deal or afford to franchise him, plenty of teams might be interested in signing Wilson. He would be in high demand. It’s an excellent move to keep Wilson and it shows that the franchise is rewarding him for his terrific play.
What do you think of the deal that Wilson signed today?
Seattle fans will likely be rejoicing…