With six days to go until the artificial (but very real) deadline for pulling the plug on contract talks between the Seahawks and quarterback Russell Wilson, it’s still unclear whether a deal will get done.
The two sides have opted for silence regarding any discussions that are occurring. Word on the NFL grapevine is that the Seahawks have offered a package worth nearly $21 million per year, with significant guaranteed money. Whatever the current offer, Wilson, through agent Mark Rodgers, wants more.
The current high-water mark remains at $22 million per year, the new-money average given to Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in 2013. The Seahawks currently don’t want to exceed that number.
However, there’s still a way to get there with a smaller total package that yield a much higher “new-money” analysis, given that Wilson is due to make only $1.5 million in 2015.
For example, a total contract worth $100 million over five years would amount to $98.5 million over four years, a record-setting new-money average of $24.625 million. Likewise, a total deal worth $120 million over six years would equate to $118.5 million over five years in new money, a new-money average of $23.7 million.
Friday’s comments from former Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren suggests he knows the specifics and realizes that Wilson would be wise to swap out $1.5 million this year for the massive increase he’ll instantly receive. Ultimately, it’ll be Wilson’s call regarding whether to play for $88,000 per week in 2015 or a lot more than that.
For now, the only thing to know with certainty is that, if Wilson passes on the last, best offer made by the Seahawks before next Saturday, he’ll be hoping for a lot more than that come February, from the Seahawks or from someone else.