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Odds Say Russell Wilson and Seahawks Agree to Extension by April 15, Gets Less Than $175 Million

Eric Rosales

by Eric Rosales in NFL Football

Updated Mar 25, 2020 · 9:12 AM PDT

Russell Wilson
Russell Wilson has set an April 15 deadline to work out a new contract with the Seahawks. Photo by Larry Maurer {Wiki Commons)
  • Russell Wilson is one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL by any metric
  • Will the Seahawks shell out enough money to keep him in Seattle?
  • The latest NFL prop lets bettors wager on whether Wilson will re-sign by April 15th

If you’re a Seahawks fan, even today is cutting it far too close to get a deal done with stud QB Russell Wilson.

Wilson has given the ‘Hawks an April 15th deadline to work something out, as he enters the final year of his four-year, $87.6 million pact, and odds on whether Seattle will re-sign Wilson before that date arrives.

Let’s take a look at how this should play out.

Will the Seahawks and Russell Wilson Get a Deal Done?

Will the Seahawks re-sign Russell Wilson by April 15? Odds
Yes -180
No +130

*Odds from April 4

If they don’t get a deal done by mid-April, Wilson’s tenure in Seattle isn’t necessarily at an end. Seattle still has options to curb the 30-year-old’s foray into free agency.

But we have seen recent contract situations erode horribly, even when teams were using all avenues to retain their star players.

Besides, what has been the hold up in this matter?

As teams scour the depths for competent QBs to man their offense, Seattle has an elite option at the controls.

Wilson has been as dependable as he has been successful, never missing a start in his seven seasons at the helm. Six of those years, he’s led the Seahawks to double-digit wins, and he’s never had a losing season in his career.

While you could argue that an optimal roster carried him early on, Wilson has been the show in Seattle for some time now, often the main buoy keeping this team afloat. The offensive line woes he has had to endure would sink most franchises into the lottery.

With Wilson, it just adds to his legend.

While his passing yards were down with an over-commitment to running the ball, Wilson still enjoyed a phenomenal year in 2018, with personal bests in TD passes (35) and QB Rating (110.9), while tying a career low with seven interceptions, and completing 65.6% of his passes, the second-best mark of his career.

Keep the man happy, fellas.

The Pick: Yes (-180)

How Much Will Russell Wilson’s Contract be Worth?

Russell Wilson contract value by April 15 Odds
Over $175 million -115
Under $175 million -125

This eventual signing will follow the escalating circus that is NFL quarterback salaries. Wilson’s average annual salary of $21.9 million in the final year of his current deal makes him the 12th-highest-paid pivot in the league. Seven of the QBs ahead of him on that list are still searching for a Super Bowl.

Aaron Rodgers is the current standard bearer, inking a four-year, $134 million deal last season, resetting the market with an average annual salary of $33.5 million.

With the constantly surging salary cap, it actually would be smarter for Seattle to lock Wilson down long term, making this the final big money contract of his career. A seven-year pact at $30 million a season would get him to $210 million. Russ would be 38 at the end of it.

But Wilson’s camp may be thinking shorter term with more money, perhaps four years for $140 million.

That would make him the highest-paid player by AAV, and would get him to free agency at 35, when, in theory, he could be commanding even more money in his last big payday.

The Pick: Under $175 million (-125)

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