Russell Wilson has gone from one of the lowest paid quarterbacks in the the NFL to one of the highest.
The Seattle Seahawks quarterback has agreed to a four-year contract extenstion worth $87.6m, SI.com’s Peter King reported on Friday, citing a source.
Approximately $60m of the contract, including a $31m signing bonus, is guaranteed, King said.
Ten minutes after King tweeted the news, Wilson acknowledged the signing, which came in hours ahead of a self-imposed 1pm ET deadline intended to prevent contract negotiations from interfering with the start of Seattle’s training camp.
Blessed to be w/ this organization for 4 more years! Can't wait to get on field w/ the fellas! @Seahawks #ChampionshipMindset #GoHawks
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) July 31, 2015
Wilson’s on-field accomplishments – 36 wins in his first three seasons, a pair of Super Bowl appearances and one championship – had far outstripped his compensation to date. Prior to Friday’s extension, he was projected to earn $1.542 million in the fourth and final year of his rookie contract, less than Kellen Moore ($2.85m), Blaine Gabbert ($2m), Charlie Whitehurst ($2m) and Bruce Gradkowski ($1.55m).
Last year, he earned less all season ($662,434) than Peyton Manning made each week ($789,474).
Now Wilson is projected make $21.9m annually, just short of Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers ($22m/year) for highest in the NFL.
