Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has apparently giving his team an ultimatum. The quarterback will reportedly close down all contract negotiations if he does not have a new deal by Friday when the Seahawks start training camp (via ESPN.com).
According to reports, the Seahawks have offered Wilson $21 million per year with slightly less than $20 million guaranteed money up front. Additionally, there appears to be an issue with the amount of guaranteed money Wilson wants.
The $21 million per year being offered to Wilson would give him the third-highest annual salary behind Aaron Rodgers ($22 million) and Ben Roethlisberger ($21.9 million). In the past, Wilson’s camp has reportedly indicated that he wants to be the highest-paid player in the NFL.
We will see if Wilson’s hardball technique will pay off in the next few days. If not, the young quarterback is taking a major gamble by not agreeing to the deal sitting on the table in front of him. If he gets injured or for has a less productive season, Wilson could end up renegotiating at a lower base.
Those who support Wilson would say why not pay a guy who has helped lead the team to three consecutive playoff appearances, two Super Bowls and one Lombardi? On the other side of the fence, some could argue that Wilson isn’t the primary reason for Seattle’s success and has only three years of starting experience.
If Wilson and the Seahawks do not come to terms on an extension, he will earn just $1.5 million in 2015.
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