HawkWow":1jwa7yk3 said:
I personally see more upside than down in not (yet) extending Wilson. Certainly it comes down to the millions, as in, how many will RW settle for? But we are holding the cards here, not Russ. (It's biness). We can play him next year at his current salary, then F-tag him the following year for no more than what we'd likely have to pay him to extend.
What's the worst case? Russ would get pissed...then what?
This franchise has been very good to Russ. Reports suggest only Philly was seriously looking at him and they obviously weren't looking very hard. I love Russ Wilson. I don't want to lose Russ Wilson but he has not progressed enough as a passer to warrant a 20 mil per deal, imo. I doubt Russ and his people would disagree with that statement. So we sit down with Russ and co, explain the situation and tell him he will need to make strides in the passing dept next year. If he does, we will open the check book. If he keeps being more football player than QB, we will have to evaluate the situation with the option of F-tagging him.
This is all just my opinion but saving 15 mil this upcoming year could mean another championship for this franchise. I sincerely doubt Russ will go into pout mode and play a lesser game. That wouldn't be prudent. Again, we are holding the cards and whether Paul wrote the checks or Microsoft, Braun (etc) wrote the checks, this franchise has made Russ a household name and a very rich young man. I'm not worried.
I kind of have to disagree on using the Franchise Tag on RW, because he's one of the very, very few Quarterbacks in the League that isn't asked to throw a bunch.
Russell Wilson isn't your usual run of the mill Quarterbacks, and the Seahawks know how lucky they are to have a guy that can extend plays beyond the ordinary.
There's not a doubt in my mind that he would be snapped up by a team that wants to contend, and paid the 20 mil.
Can you imagine what the Cards would look like with RW on their roster?, the Eagles? Rams?
I think Franchise tagging him would be an insult, and pretty cheesy, given that he's probably doing everything that he's being asked to do.