The Seahawks have offered quarterback Russell Wilson a extension that would guarantee him less than $20MM up front, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Calling a Saturday report that pegs the annual value of Seattle’s offer at $21MM “essentially accurate,” Rapoport says that Wilson hasn’t actually turned the deal down — rather, he just hasn’t accepted it.
Sources with the Seahawks tell Rapoport that the contract offer does contain significant guaranteed money, but the NFL.com scribe hears that most of those guarantees are for injury only. Wilson is likely looking for a large total in terms of fully guaranteed money, and the benchmark he might be shooting for that is $30MM, the figure the Cam Newton secured through his extension with the Panthers.
Newton will earn more than $50MM during the first 12 months of his deal, and according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times, Wilson doesn’t plan on agreeing to any extension that guarantees him less than Newton. Whether that means Wilson is seeking more in terms of guarantees, total value, or simply wants a similar cash flow structure is unclear, but Newton’s pact definitely looks like the floor for a Wilson deal.
Wilson and his camp are expected to meet with Seahawks brass this week and attempt to work out a deal before the beginning of training camp, writes Condotta. Previous reports have indicated that negotiations will be shut down once camp gets underway.