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RENTON, Wash. -- The Seattle Seahawks signed quarterback Russell Wilson to a four-year contract extension Friday, making him the second-highest paid player in the NFL. According to reports, the deal is worth $87.6 million and includes a $31 million signing bonus with $60 million in guarantees.
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Wilson was scheduled to make $1.54 million this season, the fourth and final year of his rookie contract. Peter King of TheMMQB.com first reported the news before the team announced the signing later Friday.
Wilson took to Twitter to comment on the deal.
"Blessed to be w/ this organization for 4 more years! Can't wait to get on field w/ the fellas! @Seahawks #ChampionshipMindset," Wilson tweeted.
The agreement ends an offseason of back-and-forth between both sides.
The Seahawks' training camp got underway Friday morning, which reportedly was the deadline Wilson gave the team to work out a new deal this year.
"I didn't think it was personal. I knew it was business. At the end of the day, I'm happy to be a Seahawk," Wilson said Friday. "I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. It's a blessing to be here on a championship-type team and the goal is to win the Super Bowl this year.
"My focus the whole time has pretty much been on getting ready for the season. You know, I've been excited about that, just to play football again. Ultimately, no matter how much I make, down the road or in the past, or whatever, it's always been about the game and trying to get ready."
The 26-year-old Wilson has led the Seahawks to back-to-back Super Bowl appearances. The deal will keep Wilson in Seattle though the 2019 season.
Wilson's new-money average is $21.9 million and he will be the seventh quarterback to make more than $20 million per season. Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers tops the list, earning $22 million a year.
"It was imminent. It was coming the whole time," Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said Friday. "You know, we wanted to do it. It was his turn. It was a long process to get it done, but now that it's over, it's great."
Wilson is coming off another strong season in which he completed 63.1 percent of his passes for 3,475 yards with 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also rushed for 849 yards and six touchdowns.
Wilson was the Seahawks' third-round draft choice (75th overall) in the 2012 NFL Draft and has started all 48 games played, already owning more than 15 franchise records. A Pro Bowler in each of his first three seasons, Wilson has completed 794 of 1,252 attempts (63.4 percent) for 9,950 yards, with 72 touchdowns and 26 interceptions for a 98.6 passer rating. In the postseason, he has started all eight games, completing 123 of 202 passes (60.9 percent) for 1,820 yards, with 12 touchdowns and six interceptions for a 97.8 passer rating.
Wilson's 36 wins (42 including postseason) are the most in NFL history in a quarterback's first three seasons and he became the third-youngest quarterback in NFL history to win the Super Bowl, leading the Seahawks to a 43-8 win over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII, completing 18 of 25 passes for 206 yards, two touchdowns and a 123.1 passer rating.
The Seahawks still have several contract situations to resolve, and remain in negotiations with middle linebacker Bobby Wagner, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal. Defensive lineman Michael Bennett and strong safety Kam Chancellor are also reportedly unhappy with their current contracts, but still have multiple years remaining on their deals. The Seahawks traditionally only renegotiate with players entering the final year of their contracts, although they broke from that stance with running back Marshawn Lynch last offseason.
