The Seattle Seahawks have quite the busy offseason ahead. As the team prepares how best to utilize their four draft picks for the upcoming 2019 NFL Draft, Seattle will also have to deal with several looming contract extensions. While the potential deal receiving the most attention has been for defensive end Frank Clark, the discussion about quarterback Russell Wilson has been quietly flying under the radar.
Wilson is entering the final year of a four-year deal he signed in the summer of 2015. The Seahawks have set a precedent of renegotiating contracts with a year remaining so it would seem the time is now to begin such discussions. Interestingly enough, though, it was reported in early February Wilson and the Seahawks have had no contact in regards to an extension.
Now, this could simply mean Seattle is prioritizing their in-house free agents whose contracts are expiring in a few weeks and will get to Wilson later in the offseason. After all, Wilson didn’t sign his current deal until the day before training camp in 2015.
Even though this might be the case, it certainly doesn’t stop the immense speculation and rumors which could be popping up, especially following Colin Cowherd’s theory about Wilson potentially wanting a trade to the New York Giants.
The Seahawks may choose to begin discussions with players still under contract later in the offseason, but Wilson is not like any other player. He is the face of the franchise and one of the best players in team and Seattle sports history.
Last offseason the Falcons and Packers prioritized extending quarterbacks Matt Ryan and Aaron Rodgers. The Seahawks should follow suit and do so with Wilson much sooner than later. Franchise quarterbacks as good as Wilson do not grow on trees, nor are they usually kept waiting when it comes to contract extensions.
Extending Wilson in the near future will ensure the team’s future at quarterback and silence any more potential speculation.
