Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson says he and the team have "got a deal" to keep him in Seattle, and multiple reports say it's a record-breaker.
According to NFL Media and ESPN.com, the extension is the richest in NFL history, running four years and worth $140 million, including a record $65 million signing bonus.
"At the end of the day, my guy wants to live, work, thrive in Seattle. Loves this town and its fans," agent Mark Rodgers told ESPN.com of the deal reached after midnight PT. "He compromised to stay here. I respect that."
The average annual value of the contract, $35 million, pushes Wilson, 30, past Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers as the highest-paid player in the league.
And leave it to Wilson to involve his wife, Ciara, and social media in the announcement in the wee hours Tuesday morning.
"Hey, Seattle, we got a deal," says a shirtless and tired-sounding Wilson, his wife resting on his shoulder, in a video posted on Twitter.
SEATTLE. Let’s get it. @Seahawks #GoHawks pic.twitter.com/xeWnEnUzmR
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) April 16, 2019
In the video, posted after midnight on the West Coast, the couple appears to be in bed. Wilson closes the 20-second announcement with, "I'll see you all in the morning, time for you all to go to bed."
The deal secures Wilson through 2023 and appears to end speculation that he wanted to play for the Giants. According to NFL Network, $107 million of the deal is guaranteed and it has a no-trade clause.
Under Wilson, the Seahawks are 75-36-1 in the regular season, reaching the playoffs in six of his seven seasons and winning the Super Bowl after the 2013 season. He has averaged 28 touchdown passes and has a career passer rating of 100.3 while being named to the Pro Bowl five times.
