Seattle Seahawks News & Rumors: Will Russell Wilson Get New Contract This Offseason?
With just about all the big name free agents off the board and trades starting to simmer down, many NFL fans are starting to focus on the Seattle Seahawks.
The Seahawks have won the NFC each of the last two seasons, including a triumphed Super Bowl victory over the Denver Broncos in that span. The Seahawks defense, led by Richard Sherman, is widely regarded as the best in the league, and running back Marshawn Lynch is one of the best in the game.
However, the Seahawks do have one big issue that has to be settled sooner rather than later. Quarterback Russell Wilson and his agent have been in constant talks with the team over a potential new contract this offseason, according to multiple reports.
Wilson is still under his rookie contract, which has just one year remaining on it. This upcoming season Wilson is scheduled to make $1.542 million. A very high amount for most Americans, but not exactly the quantity one would expect for a Super Bowl quarterback who is still just 26 years old.
Wilson doesn't record the highest Fantasy Football statistics, but he knows how to win, he's mobile and he's efficient. Wilson has thrown 72 touchdowns to just 26 interceptions in his three seasons in the league with a 98.6 career passer rating. One of the things that make Wilson so dangerous is dual threat abilities. Wilson is one of the best running quarterbacks in the league having accumulated 1,877 rushing yards. Despite running the ball so often, Wilson hasn't missed a single game because he knows when to do a quarterback slide and get out of bounds safely.
The Seahawks don't want to lose their franchise quarterback, but they do have options.
The most obvious option is to extend Wilson's contract. Wilson has earned it, and restructuring now may be the wisest option. Salaries will only increase, and the salary cap hit could be enormous if you wait after this season. Extending Wilson's contract before this upcoming season would also bring confidence between Seahawks management and the Wilson camp.
Another option that has been rumored around the league has been the franchise tag. Waiting to use the franchise tag could be beneficial because it prevents Wilson from leaving in free agency, but it offers no long-term solution whatsoever. Quarterbacks are by far the most expensive players when franchise tagged. It's no surprise we didn't see a single quarterback get tagged this offseason.
The third, and most likely option is to just let Wilson play out the contract. This upcoming season is the final year for Wilson under his rookie contract, and then he will become an unrestricted free agent. Choosing to wait could be good because the Seahawks would have a top 10 quarterback for less than $2 million this season, but it is risky.
If the Seahawks wait and let Wilson's contract expire, he could walk as a free agent. Reports have also indicated that the Seahawks offered Wilson a four year $80 million contract this offseason.
The best case scenario for the Seahawks would be to let this contract play out, and then re-sign Wilson next offseason to a team-friendly deal. General manager John Schneider has to make sure he makes the best decision regarding the Seahawks' future. Breaking the bank on Wilson could result in losing key defensive players in the future.
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