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
Holdout Michael Bennett said he wants to be paid like the top seven players at his position, which would mean $10 million a year.
Russell Wilson’s agent, Mark Rodgers, talked to 710 ESPN about contract negotiations.
Danny Kelly of Field Gulls wrote about the detailed technique Pete Carroll’s staff teaches cornerbacks. As we wrote a couple of years ago, the Pete Carroll Secondary School has been in session for 30 years.
Cary Williams appears to fit right in with the Legion of Boom. The Hawks think the 30-year-old’s best football will come in Seattle.
Field Gulls rounded up some radio interviews by Jordan Hill, Luke Willson and Jermaine Kearse.
K.J. Wright talked to 710 ESPN about new LBs coach Lofa Tatupu and new DC Kris Richard (recall that both of those guys played for Carroll at USC).
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” fan Bobby Wagner was voted by NFL peers as the 69th best player in the league, per NFL Network. Michael Bennett was No. 90. Six other Seahawks will be listed higher.
Kam Chancellor and Carroll think the Hawks are Super focused in the wake of the crushing end to last season.
Matt Bowen and Chris Simms of Bleacher Report look at Jimmy Graham and Tyler Lockett — Seattle’s two awesome new weapons.
Wilson was a guest speaker at Rodgers’ daughter’s graduation.
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
Jon Ryan will be on “America Ninja Warrior” on Monday, proving he can do more than punt, pass and kick.
Tough-luck Jesse Williams got more bad health news with the diagnosis of kidney cancer.
Kris Richard talked about the defense, the new coaches, Tharold Simon and Cary Williams.
Bob Condotta looked at whether the Seahawks might consider going for two points rather than kicking a PAT from the 15-yard line.
Michael Bennett said Pete Carroll is like Willy Wonka. That was part of an interview in which Bennett complained some more about NFL economics. Prepare for a holdout.
Bobby Wagner said he would like to get a new contract soon, but he said, “I’ve heard nothing.”
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
Negotiations with Russell Wilson are going “a little slow” because the Seahawks and the quarterback apparently don’t agree on his value.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, via Bob Condotta, the hang-up in extension talks is the amount of guaranteed money — with the Seahawks wanting to pay Wilson about what they gave Richard Sherman and Wilson’s agent wanting elite quarterback money.
The difference equals up to $20 million.
Continue reading Wilson and Hawks appear $20M apart in guarantees
CHAWK TALK: Everything being said about the Seahawks 