July 31--Russell Wilson is finally getting paid and the Seattle Seahawks are keeping their Super Bowl-winning quarterback long term.
Wilson and the Seahawks have agreed to a four-year, $87.6-million extension with a $31-million signing bonus and $60 million in guaranteed money, according to multiple media reports. Sports Illustrated was the first to report the deal.
"Blessed to be w/ this organization for 4 more years! Can't wait to get on field w/ the fellas!" Wilson tweeted Friday morning.
The deal comes just in time for the Seahawks, who hold their first practice of training camp later Friday. Wilson had said he would cut off negotiations at the beginning of camp, meaning he would play the final year of his rookie deal without a new contract.
Instead, he's going to be playing in 2015 -- and beyond -- under a mega-contract. He'll be making an average of $21.9 million a season, just under Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers' league-high $22-million deal.
That's a huge step up from the $1.54 million he was slated to make in 2015.
The Seahawks drafted Wilson in the third round (75th overall) back in 2012, the same off-season they signed free agent quarterback Matt Flynn. But Wilson won the starting job in training camp and has started every game since then, leading the Seahawks to a 36-12 record during that period and back-to-back Super Bowl appearances.
