As we wait to see how Russell Wilson’s contract negotiations play out, some are asking whether Wilson is even necessary to the Seahawks and others are wondering whether he might put the Hawks in a bind by holding out.
Some argue the Seahawks could have reached the Super Bowl the past two years with almost any quarterback. Others vehemently disagree.
Neither group is completely right. And the argument is largely irrelevant anyway.
Continue reading Is Wilson necessary? And would he hold out?
Last week, Russell Wilson’s agent said he would meet again soon with Matt Thomas, the Seahawks’ lead contract negotiator, and discuss new ideas and information as they work on a contract extension.
They should now have all of the information they need after Carolina gave Cam Newton a five-year extension reportedly worth $103.8 million, including $31 million guaranteed in 2015 and a record $67.6 million being paid in the next three years ($60 million of it at least partly guaranteed).
If John Schneider thought Ryan Tannehill’s deal cost the Seahawks at the bargaining table, he’ll hate seeing Newton’s numbers. But that’s the way it goes in the big-money world of franchise quarterbacks, and Schneider and Thomas should have been prepared for that.
Agent Mark Rodgers might argue Wilson is worth more than Newton, but the fact is Newton’s financial numbers are where Wilson and the Seahawks are going to have to end up — the middle ground from where both sides would prefer to be.
Continue reading Newton’s deal shows Hawks must pay Wilson at least $30M in 2015
In his interview with Brock and Salk on 710 ESPN yesterday, Mark Rodgers left Seahawks fans feeling pretty optimistic about the chances of him and the team striking a deal for Russell Wilson at some point.
Brady Henderson and Bob Condotta both transcribed the interview, offering up key points such as (1) the sides feel no pressure to get a deal done, (2) Wilson would be fine playing out his rookie deal at $1.54 million in 2015, (3) the sides have had positive talks and made progress and (4) Wilson hopes to remain in Seattle for a long time.
Not covered in those recitals of the interview were two related concerns regarding Rodgers and his inexperience in negotiating a major NFL contract.
Continue reading Rodgers addressed ‘baseball agent’ label and contract concepts
There has been a lot of handwringing over Russell Wilson’s future with the Seahawks, amid reports that the Hawks are lowballing him and the sides are millions of dollars apart.
But, according to Rob Rang, Wilson and the Hawks “are closer to an extension than some believe.” Pete Carroll did not go that far, but he said Tuesday, “The communication has been great.”
On Thursday, Wilson’s agent, Mark Rodgers, will talk to 710 ESPN — although it remains to be seen whether he offers any details on negotiations.
Very interested to talk to Mark Rodgers (Russell Wilson’s agent) tomorrow at 8am. Lots of questions about this negotiation…
— Mike Salk, 710 ESPN (@TheMikeSalk) May 27, 2015
Continue reading Is Wilson close to a deal? His agent will talk
After Ryan Tannehill signed his contract earlier this week, his agent, Pat Dye, said what a lot of others were thinking: “Russell Wilson is going to have his argument that Ryan Tannehill is the starting point for him.”
And then John Schneider apparently called Dye and said, “Congrats. You just cost me a lot of money.”
The Seahawks already were offering more new money overall, according to reports, but the Tannehill deal probably made clear to them that they need to up the ante on guaranteed cash.
Continue reading Tannehill deal proves Hawks need to pay Wilson more up front
Lots of news around the Seahawks today, with Bruce Irvin already thinking of playing elsewhere in 2016, Kevin Williams wanting to return, Robert Turbin apparently recovering from hip surgery, Michael Bennett hinting at a holdout, and Russell Wilson seemingly sending the Seahawks messages via social media.
If Irvin wants to play in Atlanta, the Seahawks should oblige and try to trade him there now. Dan Quinn’s club drafted Vic Beasley, but Quinn surely could use another pass rusher, especially one who can play linebacker. The Falcons are thought to have called about Irvin before the draft, so why not revive those talks and see if Seattle can get a 2016 second-rounder? If not Atlanta, find another team (Jacksonville and Gus Bradley?).
The Hawks are a bit thin at linebacker, but they could replace Irvin with Kevin Pierre-Louis. On the pass rush, rookie Frank Clark figures to take some of Irvin’s snaps anyway.
Continue reading Irvin wants out, Williams wants in, Bennett & Wilson want to get paid
If recent reports about Russell Wilson negotiations are true, the Seahawks clearly are not changing the way they do business just because he is a quarterback.
And there apparently are two problems with negotiations: (1) The Hawks are lowballing Wilson on the signing bonus and (2) Wilson’s agent does not know how to view NFL contract extensions.
Based on three recent reports, this is the picture we have: The Seahawks have offered Wilson a four-year deal worth $20 million a year and guaranteeing no more than about $13 million upon signing, but potentially guaranteeing closer to $40 million overall.
Continue reading Looks like two big problems in Wilson talks
That should put an end to it. Michael Bennett made it clear Thursday that he does not want to be traded.
In an interview with KING-5 TV’s “New Day Northwest,” Bennett admitted what we already knew: He wants a pay raise.
“I’m just like any other American. I think everybody wants to be paid a little bit more, so I don’t think I fall short of that,” he said.
And then — for the second time in a month — he shot down a trade report.
“When you ask for a little more money, they assume that you want to be traded or something like that,” he said. “But that’s not what I’m trying to go for.”
Asked directly if he wanted to be traded, he said, “No.”
So, as we suspected, the reports of him wanting out almost surely are coming from his agent, Drew Rosenhaus — who probably is doing whatever he can to shake the Seahawks into giving Bennett more money. And, as we said, they aren’t going to do it — at least not this year.
Where there’s smoke, there must be fire — unless Drew Rosenhaus and some mirrors are involved.
Jason La Canfora, who has had some recent scoops regarding the Seahawks (Marshawn Lynch’s deal and the drafting of Frank Clark), dropped another one Wednesday when he wrote that Bennett “and his agent have made it clear he’d rather not be back in Seattle.”
This is the second report indicating Bennett wants out — although he and the Seahawks both denied last month that he asked for a trade. He does, however, want his contract beefed up — and that clearly is the crux of the “he wants out” reports, surely propagated by his notorious agent, Rosenhaus.
Don’t expect the Seahawks to fall for his cheap tricks.
John Schneider talked more about Frank Clark, Tyler Lockett and the rest of the draft class on 710 ESPN.
As expected, the media is picking apart the Seahawks’ selection of Clark. Field Gulls compiled the reports questioning their investigative diligence.
The prosecutor in Clark’s case says there was more to the story than the police report indicated and she does not see Clark as a habitual “batterer,” per The Seattle Times.
Clark’s position coach at Michigan backs him 100 percent and thinks the Seahawks “made a tremendous pick.”
Rob Staton broke down the on-field merits of the Seahawks’ draft class: Clark’s first-round talent, Lockett’s game-breaking ability and the six other picks (plus the best UDFA they signed).
Former Green Beret Nate Boyer talked to 710 ESPN about his journey to the Seahawks. The Times’ Jayson Jenks also wrote about him.
Bob Condotta gave a detailed look at Seattle’s 12 undrafted rookies.
CHAWK TALK: Everything being said about the Seahawks 