Patience is certainly a virtue when it comes to franchise quarterback contracts.
Following a Super Bowl victory last season, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson was poised for a mammoth new deal. However, Wilson has regressed slightly as a passer and the Seahawks offense has struggled at times.
"Per a league source, the team's willingness to give Wilson a new deal will depend in large part on how the current season turns out," wrote Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio. "Miss the playoffs or get eliminated early, and the Seahawks will be inclined to wait. Return to the Super Bowl, and a new deal becomes more likely."
The Seahawks are determined to make a fair decision one way or the other. As it stands now, they could be saving themselves millions of dollars should Wilson continue to play erratically. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported over the summer that Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck and Wilson were looking for deals that would pay them roughly $24-$25 million per year. Aaron Rodgers is currently the highest paid QB with an annual salary of $22 million.
Even though Wilson's numbers are in line with his previous production - 2,466 yards on a 63.9 completion percentage with 15 touchdown passes, five interceptions, 679 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns - the Seahawks offense ranks just 13th in yards per game (361) and 11th in points per game (24.8).
Seattle has handed out big money deals to home grown stars Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman. The next few months will determine if Wilson is next on that list.
