Taken five spots after a punter in round three of the 2012 draft, Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has become dollar-for-dollar the best value in the NFL.
And that won’t be changing soon.
Wilson appeared moments ago on ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning in part to tout the fact that he’s one of the finalists for the annual Vizio Top Value Performer Award. And while the hosts joked with Wilson that his status as one of the best NFL values will change soon, the reality is that it won’t.
Under the 2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement, all contracts for draft picks have a mandatory length of four years. And those contracts cannot be renegotiated until three seasons have passed.
So even if the Seahawks want to give Wilson a raise, they can’t. He’ll make $526,217 in 2013 and $662,434 in 2014. After his third season, the Seahawks can reward him.
They will, if he stays healthy and productive. For the next two seasons, however, Wilson will bear the risk of injury or ineffectiveness.
The good news, if there is any, is that Wilson will continue to be a clear-cut finalist for the Vizio Top Value Performer Award for the next two seasons.