The Seattle Seahawks had a deadline of midnight on Monday night to make Russell Wilson happy with a contract, and they did just that, and more. The two sides agreed to a four-year contract extension that is worth $140 million, which includes a $65 million signing bonus. The 30-year-old is now under contract with Seattle through the 2023 season, as this now makes him the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL. The quarterback made the announcement via a video on Twitter about 45 minutes past his midnight deadline that he reportedly gave the team on Monday afternoon.
Wilson did not specify the terms of the contract in the video, but he will make $35 million per season, which tops the annual salary of Aaron Rodgers with the Green Bay Packers. His signing bonus sets a new record, which was also held by Rodgers, as this deal also includes a no-trade clause. Rodgers' previously record-setting contract was signed last summer.
Wilson's announcement video came from his house, apparently in bed with his wife, with the caption "SEATTLE. Let's get it. #GoHawks." He said in the video "Hey Seattle, we got a deal. But I'ma see y'all in the morning, time for y'all to go to bed."
The five-time Pro Bowler has led the Seahawks to their only Super Bowl in franchise history, and has now avoided going through the franchise tag game. He was set to make $17 million in 2019, which was the final season of a four-year, $87.6 million contract extension that he signed in the summer of 2015. Of his seven-year NFL career, he is arguably coming off his best season with a career-high 35 touchdown passes and a passer rating of 110.9. Only Drew Brees and Patrick Mahomes finished with a better rating than Wilson, who pulled it off on 417 pass attempts, which was his fewest since the 2013 season. He will now have plenty more attempts with Seattle, and will do so as the highest-paid quarterback in the league.
Wilson did not specify the terms of the contract in the video, but he will make $35 million per season, which tops the annual salary of Aaron Rodgers with the Green Bay Packers. His signing bonus sets a new record, which was also held by Rodgers, as this deal also includes a no-trade clause. Rodgers' previously record-setting contract was signed last summer.
Wilson's announcement video came from his house, apparently in bed with his wife, with the caption "SEATTLE. Let's get it. #GoHawks." He said in the video "Hey Seattle, we got a deal. But I'ma see y'all in the morning, time for y'all to go to bed."
The five-time Pro Bowler has led the Seahawks to their only Super Bowl in franchise history, and has now avoided going through the franchise tag game. He was set to make $17 million in 2019, which was the final season of a four-year, $87.6 million contract extension that he signed in the summer of 2015. Of his seven-year NFL career, he is arguably coming off his best season with a career-high 35 touchdown passes and a passer rating of 110.9. Only Drew Brees and Patrick Mahomes finished with a better rating than Wilson, who pulled it off on 417 pass attempts, which was his fewest since the 2013 season. He will now have plenty more attempts with Seattle, and will do so as the highest-paid quarterback in the league.