The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1113082
76 ■ THE WOLFPACKER ■ PACK PROS Russell Wilson Becomes NFL's Highest-Paid Player BY RYAN TICE F ormer NC State quarterback Russell Wilson wanted a contract extension from the Seattle Seahawks this offseason since his deal was set to expire at the end of the 2019 campaign. The 30-year-old even set an April 15 deadline for the agreement, or — according to NBC Sports' Peter King — the quarterback would refuse any long- term deal with the franchise. Late into the night of April 15 (tech- nically, the morning of April 16), Wilson announced that an extension had been reached. The new deal will pay the quarter- back $35 annually, surpassing Green Bay Packers signal-caller Aaron Rodgers for the highest average salary in league history. Despite the hefty price tag, the deal needed to be done from both sides. Wilson has started every game since he was selected in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft, was the only quarterback in the league to play every snap last year (and has missed just five in the last two seasons), has been elected to six Pro Bowls in seven seasons, led the franchise to two Super Bowls — including its first-ever title in Super Bowl XLVIII — and six playoff ap- pearances, and boasts the league's No. 2 career quarterback rating of all time (100.3, behind only Rodgers' 103.1). Only Hall of Famers Dan Marino (220) and Peyton Manning (216) have thrown more touchdowns than Wilson (196) in their first seven seasons. Additionally, he's coming off a season in which he threw for a career-high 35 touch- downs against a career-low seven intercep- tions and posted a passer rating of 110.9, another single-season best. From Wilson's perspective, he noted he "always admired … guys that played at [their] locations for 15-20 years, guys like Derek Jeter," before adding: "I want to be like that." He also explained he didn't want the process to drag out like his previous exten- sion that was signed in 2015, right before the start of training camp. "The last one, quite frankly, took too long and took a lot of energy away from what we're supposed to be doing," general manager John Schneider admitted. The new deal is officially a four-year, $140 million extension with a $65 million signing bonus (also an NFL record) and runs through the 2023 season, which would be Wilson's 12th with the team. Wilson was originally set to make $17 million in 2019. "For me, for my family and for [agent] Mark [Rodgers], we love Seattle, and it's the place I want to be," Wilson said mo- ments after inking the contract. "I've al- ways wanted to be here. When I first got drafted in 2012, I wanted to be here forever. "I think this helps solidify that. I've got many more years to go and a lot more win- ning to do — we've got more Super Bowls to win. I'm excited about that." "We're all really pleased that we were able to take the next step to stay together and keep this moving," head coach Pete Carroll said. "Russ has been a huge factor in everything that has happened, and this allows us to stay on track with continuing to push to find that consistency. "Russell is a unique player, a unique com- petitor. It's rare the way he's just so consis- tently connected to competing and battling. To keep that factor as part of the program is just a real positive for our fans and for every- one. We're all fortunate to see this happen." NBA Player Updates Final • Dennis Smith Jr. (Played at NC State in 2017), G, New York Knicks: Spent time with both the 33-49 Dallas Maverick and 17-65 New York Knicks … Appeared in a to- tal of 53 contests (50 starts), and averaged 28.5 minutes, 13.6 points, 4.8 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game … Upped his clips from 12.9 points and 4.3 assists in 32 games with Dallas to 14.7 and 5.4, respectively, in 21 appearances after the trade. • T.J. Warren, F, Phoenix Suns (2013-14): Started 36 times in 43 appearances with the 19-63 Suns before an ankle injury ended his season in late January … Averaged 31.6 minutes, 18.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.2 steals per game. • C. J. Williams, G, Minnesota Timberwolves (2009-12): Appeared in 15 games off the bench for 36-46 Minnesota … Averaged 8.5 minutes, 2.6 points and 0.8 assists per outing. MLB Player Updates Through May 2 • Carlos Rodon (Played at NC State 2012-14), LHP, Chicago White Sox: Has started seven games and gone 3-2 with a 5.19 ERA and 46 strikeouts in 34⅔ innings pitched … Landed on the 10-day injured list May 2 with left elbow inflammation … He could be out much longer than 10 days, however, if he needs Tommy John surgery, which is feared by the team. • Trea Turner (2012-14), SS, Washington Nationals: Has only played in four games after breaking a finger early in the season … Was batting .357 with two home runs and four RBI in 14 at-bats … Also had four stolen bases and four runs scored before going on the injured list April 3. ■ Wilson has led Seattle to 75 regular-season victories since 2012, which stand as the most for a starting quarterback in his first seven seasons in NFL history. PHOTO COURTESY SEATTLE SEAHAWKS