Russell Wilson and Seahawks

On the local sport radio channels they have speaking about Russell Wilson a lot about his new contract that is being negotiated.

Actually his current contract does not run out until this coming season is over. 

He talked with Bryant Gumbel “Real Sports” on HBO which is supposed to air tonight April 21. He talks about football and the Seahawks along with playing baseball. He is thinking about playing baseball again which here in Seattle believe it is a negotiating ploy because it would take Wilson way to long get to the major league baseball, and he would take even longer to get the kind of money he would even have a chance to get like from the Seahawks.

I have to say that I agree with the local media. The amount of money Russell Wilson is likely asking for is around twenty-two million dollars per year though the Seahawks are looking more around twenty million dollars per year. Of course, a lot depends how many years and what is guaranteed along with a signing bonus.

Another part of the negotiations is whether the Seahawks will throw away the final year of current contract and begin the new contract immediately.

What makes things interesting is the salary cap. The Seahawks want to pay Russell Wilson what he really wants but has to be able to fit under the salary cap. It is quite tricky. I am not sure if any of us either fans or media totally understand how the salary cap works. In fact it is so difficult that the Seahawks have someone who all he does is working out the salary cap. I am sure he tells Coach Pete Carroll and General Manager John Schneider what they can do to be sure they can keep all the star players along with the other players on the roster. Also, they need enough money to pay the players that are new that are coming thru  the draft. I am sure the negotiating will take some time to be resolved. They have to consider signing linebacker Bobby Wagner to a new contract as well.

Next week April 30 thru May 2 will be the college football draft. The Seahawks  have eleven draft picks thru the seven rounds; however, it does not include any player in the first round since they traded away in getting tight end Jimmy Graham from New Orleans Saints.

Since Pete Carroll and John Schneider have been with the Seahawks the draft has been quite interesting. It does not have the same meaning it has like for other teams.  The last couple years the Seahawks have not had first round draft picks.  As fans we generally have to wait until the second round to see who the Seahawks come up with. Even with first round draft picks Carroll and Schneider always surprise us who they draft. In fact many of the best players the Seahawks have come up with have been in the later rounds along with free agents.

I look forward along with every 12^th man who the Seahawks will draft. It would likely be a surprise and could be someone we have never heard of before. Of course, usually most college football drafts we only know a handle full of players very well anyway.

Well I hope the Seahawks be able to sign Russell Wilson in the next several months and look forward to see who they come up with in the draft.