Russell Wilson setting an April 15th deadline for a new deal worked, and he signed a record-breaking deal in terms of average annual money and total guaranteed money at midnight Pacific Time. Wilson will be getting $35 million per season for the next four years. That puts him ahead of Aaron Rodgers ($33.5 million over four years), Matt Ryan ($30 million per year), Kirk Cousins ($28 million per year for three seasons) and everyone else at the position.
Per Adam Schefter, though, Wilson’s agent Mark Rodgers wants it to be known that the quarterback made some compromises in order to remain in Seattle.
Russell Wilson’s agent, Mark Rodgers, on the record-setting agreement that was reached at midnight PST: “At the end of the day, my guy wants to live, work, thrive in Seattle. Loves this town and it’s fans. He compromised to stay here. I respect that.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 16, 2019
Wilson has earned the right to get paid among the league’s best. He’s gone from third-round pick to Super Bowl winner and consistently among the top quarterbacks. His success as a shorter quarterback arguably paved the way for Baker Mayfield going first overall, and maybe Kyler Murray doing the same this season.
But it’s also true that all six quarterbacks who had a cap charge over $25 million last year missed the postseason. The price of retaining a franchise quarterback continues to escalate, and a smart franchise might realize that paying extreme amounts at the position is not the path to sustained future team success if the numbers are going to be that high.
