Is Russell Wilson Worthy of a Guaranteed Contract?

Surely the man who threw the game-losing interception in Super Bowl XLIX isn’t about to be paid like he won a second straight title, is he?

As NFL.com‘s Ian Rapoport is reporting, the possibility of Russell Wilson achieving a guaranteed contract is indeed “very real.”

For the past three seasons Wilson haters have formed a national choir, singing about his lack of size, unorthodox play at the quarterback position and how he is simply a product of his surrounding talent. Admitting so, all of the above is (somewhat) true. Wilson’s size does sometimes do damage against him, he isn’t your prototypical NFL quarterback when playing, and his team is certainly one of the best in the league. To even think about paying Wilson money compared to the likes of Aaron Rodgers or Matthew Stafford is borderline crazy to these people.

Jan 18, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) looks downfield to throw during the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Starring in a classic case of “You’re successful so we just hate you,” Wilson has been nothing short of successful in his first few seasons with Seattle. Three straight seasons with a postseason appearance and win, back to back Super Bowl appearances with one Super Bowl win, while also adding the most regular season wins by a quarterback in his second, and his third year.

Simply put, the guy wins football games. So why not pay him like a winner?

Well, Wilson is due to be paid, but exactly how much is the question. A fully guaranteed contract means that Russell Wilson will be paid every dollar owed to him once he inks that deal, irregardless if he plays another down of football again. Acting as the leprechaun of money negotiations, this is a once in a lifetime, mythical possibility that could actually happen.

With other needs on the team that need to be addressed, should he take the huge money offered while other quarterbacks around the league are restructuring contracts in order to give their club more salary cap space to work with? Yes, and no.

The NFL, just like anywhere else in the business world, is a “what can you do for me” world, not a “what have you done for me” world. Fortunately for Wilson, he is still young and appears to be improving in facets of his game, which is all you can ask for Wilson at this point.

Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Given the success he has risen to on the field and off with his charitable acts and no character issues to worry for, Wilson has emerged as the face of the franchise for the Seattle Seahawks and should be for years to come. Although (depending on who you ask), Wilson is not the most important piece to the puzzle in Seattle. He is still a vital piece to the continued success the organization is pursuing.

However, Wilson isn’t the only player that needs to be paid, now or in the near future. Should he accept big money, somewhere down the road the Seahawks are asking for trouble. Surely the talent is great all around the roster, but how will the Seattle organization manage to keep key pieces around Wilson with little cap space to work with?

The future for Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks looks bright as they further discussions to keep him in Seattle for the long run. The rising quarterback has proved his worth to the world, and is now due to receive a nice payout due to his efforts with no questioning his value to the present and future of Seattle.

However, let this be a warning to anyone wanting to give Wilson a fully-guaranteed contract; Nothing in life is guaranteed.

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