Just when it looked like the Seattle Seahawks missed the Russell Wilson-imposed deadline for a new contract and rumblings were starting that Wilson’s wife, musician Ciara, wanted Wilson to play in New York, it turns out Wilson and Seattle were just hammering out the last of the details.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the new pact is for four years and $140 million, with about a $65 million signing bonus.
Russell Wilson and the Seahawks reached agreement on a 4-year, $140 million in new money extension that includes a $65 million signing bonus, per source. https://t.co/SgsxgNIqli
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 16, 2019
The new contract makes Wilson the NFL’s highest-paid player. And one of the highest-paid in all of sports.
According to @AdamSchefter, Russell Wilson’s new contract has an average annual value of $35M. That’s the highest of any player in the NFL.
That would rank 6th in the NBA behind:
– Russell Westbrook
– Stephen Curry
– Chris Paul
– LeBron James
– Andrew Wiggins (!)— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 16, 2019
Wilson is obviously hugely important to the Seahawks organization. Some thought maybe they would opt not to pay Wilson, let him walk after the season and rebuild. But, alas, the sides are now tied for the foreseeable future.
The Seahawks quarterback is one of the last pieces remaining on the roster from their Super Bowl champion version of 2013-14.
Some specific details may be interesting as they come out, like whether or not Seattle chose to put language in the contract that will keep Wilson off the baseball field going forward.
Wilson has played in seven NFL seasons and carries a remarkable 100.3 QB Rating. He’s thrown for 25,649 total yards on a 64.2 percent completion rate for 196 touchdowns against 63 interceptions.
