Let's make one thing clear: Russell Wilson is and will remain a member of the Seattle Seahawks - about that, there is no question.
What is in question is for how long and at what price will Wilson continue to quarterback the two-time NFC Champions.
Wilson and the Seahawks brass, namely GM John Schneider, have reportedly been discussing a contract extension for the Pro Bowl quarterback for some time now.
Schneider, appearing on KIRO 97.3 FM in Seattle, said that negotiations are ongoing and part of the reason for the slow pace of talks is that he and the Seahawks brass are very cognizant of the cap implications of Wilson's eventual deal.
"Every negotiation is unique in and of itself and this is no different," Schneider said, via Terry Blount of ESPN. "He's our quarterback. We'd love him to be our quarterback. But the thing is we need to keep as many of these guys together as we possibly can. What I can tell you is that this is the ultimate team sport. We have a track record of rewarding our players that we recognize as core players."
Set to embark on his fourth NFL season, Wilson is slated to make $1.5 million next year. His new deal, once it's finally signed, sealed and delivered will, of course, dwarf that figure, with some estimations coming in around $20 million per season and $100 million overall.
"We want to be a consistent championship-caliber football team, one that the community and the Northwest is extremely proud of every year and has high expectations and hopes for," Schneider said. "We have to be able to protect ourselves as we go and make smart decisions in trying to keep this whole thing together as long as we possibly can.
"I think you've seen over the last several years now a philosophy of competition at every position and trying to acquire as many players as you possibly can and to make it fit. We've done this since Day 1."
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, along with Schneider, certainly realize how integral Wilson is to their current run of consistent success. Much like running back Marshawn Lynch, who the team inked to a new three-year, $31 million deal, look for Wilson - either now or sometime in the not-too-distant future - to dot the i's and cross the t's on a big, fat contract extension with Seattle that keeps him in a Seahawks uniform for the remainder of his NFL career.
