Seattle Seahawks: Is Russell Wilson going to be highest-paid quarterback?

By Nick Ziegler | Jul 27, 2015

One of the biggest stories of the 2015 offseason in the NFL has been the contract situation for Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks.

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This offseason, other big name quarterbacks have received new deals, as their rookie contracts were coming close to an end. Ryan Tannehill of the Miami Dolphins and Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers each received big new deals. While Tannehill and Newton are both good quarterbacks, they haven’t had nearly the success of Wilson in the NFL so far.

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Since being drafted in the third-round of the 2012 NFL Draft, Wilson has been the starting quarterback for the Seahawks. Since being drafted, the Seahawks have reached the playoffs every season, and have also made the Super Bowl in back-to-back years, with a win against the Denver Broncos.

In the regular season, Wilson has totaled a 36-12 record with 72 touchdowns, 26 interceptions, and a 63.1 completion percentage. Wilson is known for his ability to run the football just good and possibly better than he does throwing it. In his career, Wilson has totaled 1,877 rushing yards, 11 rushing touchdowns, and a great 6.1 yards per carry average.

Wilson walked into a very good situation in Seattle when he was drafted. The Seahawks have had one of the best defenses in the league since 2012, and they have also had a dominant running game led by Marshawn Lynch.

Having such a strong supporting cast around him has certainly helped Wilson, but it has also overshadowed how good he is.

Wilson is now seeking a new long-term contract with the Seahawks, and he wants to be paid like a quarterback who has been to the last two Super Bowls. Currently, Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers is the highest paid quarterback in the NFL, and for good reason. Rodgers is a Super Bowl Champion, in his prime, and also is arguably the best quarterback in the NFL right now.

Rodgers’ stats are far better than Wilson’s right now, but Wilson’s contract is surely going to be about him becoming even better.

Wilson and his agent Mark Rodgers are looking for a deal that will surpass the $22 million per season that the Packers’ quarterback is making.

While Wilson has been great, it is understandable for the Seahawks to be hesitant to make him the highest paid quarterback in the league.

According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the Seahawks have come close to that desired number for Wilson, as they are willing to give him contract with an average of close to $21 million per season.

Wilson is set to make just $1.5 million this season, and that number could increase greatly if he and the Seahawks can get a deal done.

The NFL is a quarterback league, and ultimately Wilson does hold all of the chips in negotiations. There is a reason that good quarterbacks don’t reach free agency, as the team will do what it takes to keep a quarterback that they think is a franchise player. Wilson has proven in three seasons that he is a winner, and it will likely just be a matter of time before he is the highest paid quarterback in football.

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