Rumor: RW asking to be the highest paid player in history

[MizzouHawkGal]

RW publicly stated a while back that he wanted to own a professional sport's team. Taking a team friendly salary doesn't exactly get you any closer to that goal.

Wishes are fishes and 4/80 is ridiculous. The Seahawks are playing a dangerous game of chicken where only they will lose unless they start getting real and offering 5-6 years at 100-120M just to be in the conversation given the FACT that the salary cap is going to virtually explode versus the current baseline.

Stop the needless back and forth and just make everybody's eyes pop for a year or so and snicker quietly knowing Luck and all the cool kids will make it a bargain and just go forward doing business as usual.

For the Penny Gallery (Tical). Pay the man already we've done your theory since 1976. How'd that work out?

 

[theincrediblesok]

Damn! Way to drop the mic kearly!

+1

+2 what a post!

+3 Post of the Decade.

+4 This is why I LOVE you Kearly, straight to the point and not a penny short

In a twisted part of me I would love for Wilson to go to a pass happy team where he will put up stats that equates to Elite status regardless if he wins another Superbowl or not so people can eat crow. I would love for him to go against the LOB and shred that defense and leave no doubt, 24/7.

 

[aawolf]

Great stuff here all around.

Let me add something as one who's seen Russell Wilson forced out by my team's management because we thought he was expendable. I am a lifelong fan and alumnus of NC State. Evidently, O'Brien, our head coach, thought that RW's baseball commitments after being drafted in the 3rd round of the MLB draft, would conflict with his football obligations, so he said RW could not come back. Fans of NC State got to see him leave in route to a Rose Bowl appearance for Wisconsin, their first in 11 years.

You can show me all the statistics in the world showing how RW is a "system QB" and how the team carries him. But, I've never seen a guy more driven to succeed. I am convinced that if you let RW go, then he will show up on some other team: i.e. the Jets, the Bills, or even the Browns, and he'll get them to the Promised Land on sheer will. He's spent his football life proving doubters wrong. He went through high school as one who was deemed "too short", through the recruiting process as a two-star recruit getting past over by UNC where he camped, through competition at NC State against highly touted prospect QBs, through getting dismissed from his team, through being called "too short" and getting drafted late in the 3rd round, through competing with high-contract vet Flynn for the starting spot on the Hawks, through being down and out in countless games and pulling out victories. If he's not taken seriously, and you don't acknowledge what he's truly worth, he will prove you wrong, as he's done countless times. Given the arc of his career, I wouldn't be surprised if the Hawks dumped him, and then he took some other team to the Super Bowl. He's done it before.

 

[seedhawk]

Maybe I missed something somewhere, but, as previously stated, we had a lot of pieces in place BEFORE we drafted RW. Would not surprise me a bit if we and he decide to let him play out his first contract, then tag him. Makes sense for all as by the end of that Luck and others will have redefined the market.

What we all should probably be concerned about is just how/when we start replacing/releasing or trading guys like ET, Sherm, Okung, etc. Graham, while being a super addition, is also spendy, and at 29 will probably be gone in 2 years. The Hawks clear window is NOW. Tagging RW for a year or two, then signing him long term keeps the window on the sunny side of the building.

 

[Anthony!]

Maybe I missed something somewhere, but, as previously stated, we had a lot of pieces in place BEFORE we drafted RW. Would not surprise me a bit if we and he decide to let him play out his first contract, then tag him. Makes sense for all as by the end of that Luck and others will have redefined the market.

What we all should probably be concerned about is just how/when we start replacing/releasing or trading guys like ET, Sherm, Okung, etc. Graham, while being a super addition, is also spendy, and at 29 will probably be gone in 2 years. The Hawks clear window is NOW. Tagging RW for a year or two, then signing him long term keeps the window on the sunny side of the building.

Because you presume he will show up. What is to stop him from holding out till a week before the season every year. What is to stop him form holding out this year until they take the tag off the table. If either happens your window is destroyed. The FO said they are building a team that can compete for a long time that is more than just 4 years. To do that you need a franchise QB. You sign him now while you can, you wait and you are taking a big risk, that will cost you big in money and maybe in your record. Something to remember is they got lucky. IF they do not select Wilson, we still have Flynn or something hack. We would not have gone to the SB and their window would be pretty much closing already. Add tot hat no guarantee they resign Sherman, ET, or Kam. Maybe they all decide to go someplace else were they can win. FAs do not ant to come here as much. There is a lot riding on this, this is the FOs first chance to prove that they can take care of a core Offensive Guy. The botched the Lynch thing and went back on their stance of no renegotiating in the middle of a contract and allowed Lynch to hold them hostage. Now that are being cheap with Wilson. This could back fire big time. It could cost them their jobs. This could change everything here in Seattle.

 

[theincrediblesok]

Maybe I missed something somewhere, but, as previously stated, we had a lot of pieces in place BEFORE we drafted RW. Would not surprise me a bit if we and he decide to let him play out his first contract, then tag him. Makes sense for all as by the end of that Luck and others will have redefined the market.

What we all should probably be concerned about is just how/when we start replacing/releasing or trading guys like ET, Sherm, Okung, etc. Graham, while being a super addition, is also spendy, and at 29 will probably be gone in 2 years. The Hawks clear window is NOW. Tagging RW for a year or two, then signing him long term keeps the window on the sunny side of the building.

His price will just keep going up. Sign him now, and in 2 years he'll be a bargain.

That's the other thing people aren't considering, that when Earl, Sherman and Kam's extension comes into play they might also warrant the highest paid in their position. You see Patrick Peterson getting a huge contract and if Sherman keeps his production up guess what he's going to want his next contract to eclipse the highest CB contract at that time.

At the time Richard Sherman was the highest paid CB at 4 year $56 million, then Patrick Peterson got his at 5 year $70 million, i know there's different variables in their contract, they end up at an annual amount of $14 million a year.

So they could extend Wilson's contract to one more year longer than Rodgers but maintaining the annual amount of $22 and he will be considered the highest paid player in the NFL, until Luck gets his turn that is, and it's better to do it now before Luck does.

 

[Anthony!]

Maybe I missed something somewhere, but, as previously stated, we had a lot of pieces in place BEFORE we drafted RW. Would not surprise me a bit if we and he decide to let him play out his first contract, then tag him. Makes sense for all as by the end of that Luck and others will have redefined the market.

What we all should probably be concerned about is just how/when we start replacing/releasing or trading guys like ET, Sherm, Okung, etc. Graham, while being a super addition, is also spendy, and at 29 will probably be gone in 2 years. The Hawks clear window is NOW. Tagging RW for a year or two, then signing him long term keeps the window on the sunny side of the building.

His price will just keep going up. Sign him now, and in 2 years he'll be a bargain.

That's the other thing people aren't considering, that when Earl, Sherman and Kam's extension comes into play they might also warrant the highest paid in their position. You see Patrick Peterson getting a huge contract and if Sherman keeps his production up guess what he's going to want his next contract to eclipse the highest CB contract at that time.

At the time Richard Sherman was the highest paid CB at 4 year $56 million, then Patrick Peterson got his at 5 year $70 million, i know there's different variables in their contract, they end up at an annual amount of $14 million a year.

So they could extend Wilson's contract to one more year longer than Rodgers but maintaining the annual amount of $22 and he will be considered the highest paid player in the NFL, until Luck gets his turn that is, and it's better to do it now before Luck does.

There is little doubt they could get this deal done, and not cripple the team at all. They have just decided as of now to low ball the offer and play hardball. It appears the only person they cave to is Lynch. I find it interesting they are willing to pay others top money but not their Qb. Maybe this FO is not as good as we thought, just very lucky. Again this could cost us.

 

[tacomahawk]

Know one knows accurately what is going on in these contract talks, except the parties involved. Anyone in the press, that thinks they know is full of crap. Since when has our front office ever talked directly about contracts? John does not do that, and neither does Pete. Russell is also a private guy, so I don't think his side would be airing anything to the public either.

LaConfora, Clayton, etc., are just talking out their butts, hoping they will be right. Our front office isn't stupid, and neither is our QB. Something will get done when it is time. I am not worried about this in the slightest, nor do I believe everything I read and hear, cause most of the time it is BS to get clicks.

#getofftheledgepeople

 

[volsunghawk]

Maybe I missed something somewhere, but, as previously stated, we had a lot of pieces in place BEFORE we drafted RW. Would not surprise me a bit if we and he decide to let him play out his first contract, then tag him. Makes sense for all as by the end of that Luck and others will have redefined the market.

What we all should probably be concerned about is just how/when we start replacing/releasing or trading guys like ET, Sherm, Okung, etc. Graham, while being a super addition, is also spendy, and at 29 will probably be gone in 2 years. The Hawks clear window is NOW. Tagging RW for a year or two, then signing him long term keeps the window on the sunny side of the building.

His price will just keep going up. Sign him now, and in 2 years he'll be a bargain.

That's the other thing people aren't considering, that when Earl, Sherman and Kam's extension comes into play they might also warrant the highest paid in their position. You see Patrick Peterson getting a huge contract and if Sherman keeps his production up guess what he's going to want his next contract to eclipse the highest CB contract at that time.

At the time Richard Sherman was the highest paid CB at 4 year $56 million, then Patrick Peterson got his at 5 year $70 million, i know there's different variables in their contract, they end up at an annual amount of $14 million a year.

So they could extend Wilson's contract to one more year longer than Rodgers but maintaining the annual amount of $22 and he will be considered the highest paid player in the NFL, until Luck gets his turn that is, and it's better to do it now before Luck does.

There is little doubt they could get this deal done, and not cripple the team at all. They have just decided as of now to low ball the offer and play hardball. It appears the only person they cave to is Lynch. I find it interesting they are willing to pay others top money but not their Qb. Maybe this FO is not as good as we thought, just very lucky. Again this could cost us.

Just. Just stop.

Every single non-slotted-rookie-deal contract this team has worked out with a player has involved the sides starting at different points and working toward a middle point.

When the money is bigger, the negotiations take longer.

Top QBs get paid more than any other position.

There is no other mystery here. Wilson's deal is going to take longer than the others. The sides will start farther apart in negotiations. But it will get done. There won't be any holdouts. There won't be any tags. There's no conspiracy in the front office to crap all over Wilson. There's no effort from Wilson to crap all over the team.

All this drama people are trying to inject into the negotiations is just awful. It's like having a website full of Mike Florios, and it sucks.

 

[Sgt. Largent]

Anyone know why Luck hasn't signed an extension yet? Or if the Colts are even worried/working on one?

It would help out immensely with Wilson's negotiation if Luck would get his done, as it's the fairest comparison production, age, etc wise.

It's obviously that the problem now is Russell and his agent are using guys like Manning, Brady, Rodgers, Brees as the starting point...........and we're using 2nd tier guys.

 

[KiwiHawk]

I'm not taking a side in this, but I had a rather vivid dream last night where I was an assistant working with Pete and John trying to deal with the Wilson issue. I think it was just my brain's way of internally debating. Anyway, I thought I'd share.

In my dream, Carroll and John were taking a hard-line stance with Wilson, offering him something like 110 million over 5 years. Wilson wanted more. The reason for the hard-line approach was summed up by Carroll with one chilling word: Ceiling.

They believed that Wilson had reached the ceiling of his performance potential, and that his belief he could extend plays at will was creating an ego that was not in line with reality. They believed his performance would drop off until he learned to trust his receivers more and not try to do everything himself.

On the other hand, Wilson believed he would only get better at scrambling around working his Wilson magic, and he wanted money that would reflect where he would be when he reached that higher pinnacle.

It was an impasse, but I was assured by Carroll that he had dealt with departures of critical players at the college level, had done so on his defense at the pro level, and could do so again at the QB position if required. For some reason the backup plan should they not be able to sign Wilson was to trade him to KC for Alex Smith, who at least knew his role as a game manager. And in reality, I would see KC jumping all over that deal, as Andy Reid loved what Vick brought to the table even though Vick was an inferior passer.

Now, I am not saying I believe any of this in my waking state, but that's the dream I had, and it did make me think about all of those issues.

 

[xgeoff]

And the Rams still have nothing to show for it with those 1st round picks (production wise), this is why having a QB is important.

Totally agree. Draft picks are a craps shoot. You just never know whether someone is going to work out or not until they actually play at the NFL level.

 

[jlwaters1]

If RW's frame of mind is anything close to what Softy said, it's all the more reason for him to play out his contract. Could backfire if he gets a season-ending injury. Not trying to jinx him, but I think that should always be a in a player's thought process. Strike when the iron is hot.

Playing out his contract is stupid on RW's part. Any contract signed this year will have a significant signing bonus, so even though his cap hit will be smaller, he'd get that cash NOW. If he waits a year he's not going to recoup that cash in the future.

I expect this to get done Late MAY, early JUNE.

 

[Bigbadhawk]

Anyone know why Luck hasn't signed an extension yet? Or if the Colts are even worried/working on one?

It would help out immensely with Wilson's negotiation if Luck would get his done, as it's the fairest comparison production, age, etc wise.

It's obviously that the problem now is Russell and his agent are using guys like Manning, Brady, Rodgers, Brees as the starting point...........and we're using 2nd tier guys.

Wilson's rookie contract was for 4 years. Lucks as a first round pick is for 4 years with team option for the 5th year. The colts basically have an extra year to sit on before they work out an extension unlike Wilson.

 

[Bigpumpkin]

I expect this to get done Late MAY, early JUNE.

Soooo....what's the hold up? John and Pete want a signed long term contract. Russell wants it taken care of and out of the way, right? So, what's the hold up? It is his agent and his XXX lawyers, that's who! Someone needs to kick 'em in the nuts!

 

[mikeak]

If RW's frame of mind is anything close to what Softy said, it's all the more reason for him to play out his contract. Could backfire if he gets a season-ending injury. Not trying to jinx him, but I think that should always be a in a player's thought process. Strike when the iron is hot.

Playing out his contract is stupid on RW's part. Any contract signed this year will have a significant signing bonus, so even though his cap hit will be smaller, he'd get that cash NOW. If he waits a year he's not going to recoup that cash in the future.

I expect this to get done Late MAY, early JUNE.

As presented in your post that is not correct.

If he signs a four year extension now with $10 million signing bonus he gets that now
if he signs a new contract after this season for four years with a $10million signing bonus he gets that next year. So either way he got $10million

The only difference in that scenario is that the cash is deferred so he loses the interest. If he invested in the market it could go up or down in that time period. He would fully recover the cash and if he got more then he would make more because of this.

What he will not have an opportunity for is any cash in the overall deal that is considered compensation for this coming year. So if he signs a four year extension and then team was going to give him $20 million per year but "throws in" an extra million to compensate for this year then he may not get that extra million / year next year.

 

[Sgt. Largent]

If RW's frame of mind is anything close to what Softy said, it's all the more reason for him to play out his contract. Could backfire if he gets a season-ending injury. Not trying to jinx him, but I think that should always be a in a player's thought process. Strike when the iron is hot.

Playing out his contract is stupid on RW's part. Any contract signed this year will have a significant signing bonus, so even though his cap hit will be smaller, he'd get that cash NOW. If he waits a year he's not going to recoup that cash in the future.

I expect this to get done Late MAY, early JUNE.

As presented in your post that is not correct.

If he signs a four year extension now with $10 million signing bonus he gets that now
if he signs a new contract after this season for four years with a $10million signing bonus he gets that next year. So either way he got $10million

The only difference in that scenario is that the cash is deferred so he loses the interest. If he invested in the market it could go up or down in that time period. He would fully recover the cash and if he got more then he would make more because of this.

What he will not have an opportunity for is any cash in the overall deal that is considered compensation for this coming year. So if he signs a four year extension and then team was going to give him $20 million per year but "throws in" an extra million to compensate for this year then he may not get that extra million / year next year.

I think the point is if Russell's career has a finite ending year, and it will.............then it stands to reason by playing out his rookie contract this year would result in one less year of making 20M+.

He's only going to play for however long he's going to play, so that means one less year of making big money.

 

[jlwaters1]

If RW's frame of mind is anything close to what Softy said, it's all the more reason for him to play out his contract. Could backfire if he gets a season-ending injury. Not trying to jinx him, but I think that should always be a in a player's thought process. Strike when the iron is hot.

Playing out his contract is stupid on RW's part. Any contract signed this year will have a significant signing bonus, so even though his cap hit will be smaller, he'd get that cash NOW. If he waits a year he's not going to recoup that cash in the future.

I expect this to get done Late MAY, early JUNE.

As presented in your post that is not correct.

If he signs a four year extension now with $10 million signing bonus he gets that now
if he signs a new contract after this season for four years with a $10million signing bonus he gets that next year. So either way he got $10million

The only difference in that scenario is that the cash is deferred so he loses the interest. If he invested in the market it could go up or down in that time period. He would fully recover the cash and if he got more then he would make more because of this.

What he will not have an opportunity for is any cash in the overall deal that is considered compensation for this coming year. So if he signs a four year extension and then team was going to give him $20 million per year but "throws in" an extra million to compensate for this year then he may not get that extra million / year next year.

Would you rather make 10 million now and 20 million next year? Or 1.5 million now, and 20 million next year? Don't you see your missing out in cashing in NOW, you won't make that money back simply because this year is the exception.

 

[KiwiHawk]

If Wilson was to get paid this year instead of next, then he gets the benefit of the future value of that money for one year. I know interest rates in the US are down, but there are other investments. Let's say he makes an investment with a 6% annual percentage rate, which is still conservative. Let's also assume he plays for another 10 years, just for fun.

The difference of 1 year on a 20 million signing bonus would be 1.2 million. In 10 years, that 1.2 million is worth 2.2 million.

So the difference in the future value of getting his signing bonus this year vs next year is the better part of all the money he's made in the NFL to date, excluding endorsements.

The 6% was conservative - Wilson is young with huge potential earning in front of him in NFL salary, endorsements and future speaking or broadcast opportunities, so if I was his financial adviser I would encourage him to invest very aggressively in the short term up to but not quite including putting the whole lot on red.

 

[crosfam]

As stressed as true fans might be at the "delay", RW has no incentive to re-sign now. He is probably negotiating up to the point where it may "cost" him money, i.e. the regular season. I just can't see him playing on the rookie numbers (minus the coming bonus) this year.

I still think we sign him, then Wagner, and then we shuttle some folks out the door that we can't afford in 2016 and 2017. I still like that better than trading him for 3 #1s and 3 #2s, etc.