Fresh off receiving the richest deal in NFL history, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson declared that he wants to “be a Seahawk for life”.
He also vowed at Wednesday’s press conference that he wants to play through the 2031 season.
“My goal is to play 20 years, so I would be 43ish around then,” said Wilson, who was born in 1988. “So, that would be my goal to be honest with you, and that’s what I’m looking forward to.”
The next five years are taken care of after Wilson signed a four-year, $140mn extension on Tuesday afternoon. He received a $65mn signing bonus and is signed with the Seahawks through the 2023 season.
Though Wilson placed an April 15 deadline for getting a deal done, he said he never wanted to play anywhere other than Seattle.
“For me, for my family, we love Seattle, and it’s the place I want to be,” Wilson said. “I’ve always wanted to be here. When I first got drafted in 2012, I wanted to be here forever. This helps solidify that. I’ve got many more years to go and a lot more winning to do — we’ve got more Super Bowls to win. I’m excited about that.”
The 30-year-old Wilson has passed for 25,624 yards, 196 touchdowns and only 63 interceptions in 112 NFL games, never missing a start. The five-time Pro Bowler threw a franchise-best 35 touchdown passes last season against just seven interceptions, matching his career low.
Wilson has guided Seattle to the playoffs in six of his seven seasons. The Seahawks defeated the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII following the 2013 season and lost to the New England Patriots in the big game the next season.
Seattle coach Pete Carroll is well aware of the team’s 75-36-1 regular-season record during the Wilson era and is pleased to see it continue.
“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,” Carroll said. “Russell is a unique player, a unique competitor. It’s rare the way he’s just so consistently connected to competing and battling. To keep that factor as part of the program is just a real positive for our fans and for everyone. We’re all fortunate to see this happen.”
The former third-round pick still feels plenty of motivation... partly because of that “third-round pick” label.
Wilson has never forgotten that 74 players were chosen before him in the 2012 NFL Draft. He was the sixth quarterback selected behind Andrew Luck (No. 1 overall), Robert Griffin III (No. 2), Ryan Tannehill (No 8), Brandon Weeden (No 22) and Brock Osweiler (No 57).
“I was going to make the 31 other teams regret it, and that was my mentality, and still is today,” Wilson said. “I’ve just been fortunate — been very, very fortunate — and blessed to be with great teammates, a great culture here, a great organisation. There’s no better place than here, and obviously a great city with amazing fans. The best fans in the world, so it’s a special thing.”