The Seattle Seahawks could be asking themselves if they had Cam Newton rather than Russell Wilson as their quarterback whether they'd still be coming off back-to-back Super Bowl appearances.
Newton and the Carolina Panthers are about to agree on a five-year deal that would pay the former Heisman Trophy winner worth more than $100 million, USA TODAY Sports is reporting. A source told USA TODAY that a "significant chunk" of that contract is expected to be fully guaranteed.
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And this is for a quarterback that has a 31-33-1 record during his four years with the Panthers.
The Seattle Times is reporting that the Seahawks' initial offer to Wilson is less than what Carolina is about to give Newton.
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"An easy, initial reaction is that the deal will only make it harder for the Seahawks to get something done with Russell Wilson, and it very well may," the Times reported.
"But as we've seen often with NFL contracts, the initial numbers and what is actually in the deal can be two pretty different things and we'll need a full accounting of the Newton contract to really get an idea of what it might mean for Seattle's negotiations with Wilson."
Newton came in as a first-round pick, while Wilson was a third-rounder. So while Newton is scheduled to make $14.66 million this season (the new contract would keep this year's salary intact), Wilson is scheduled to make $1.542 million.
So when Wilson reportedly is asking for a deal in excess of $20 million per year, it's easy to see why he would feel that the Seahawks owe him when they really have gotten him at a discount during his first three years of service in Seattle.
Newton's agent, Bus Cook, negotiated the deal for the Panthers QB. He was Wilson's agent before Wilson decided to go with his baseball agent, Mark Rodgers.
Rodgers spoke to ESPN Radio in Seattle and said that talks between Wilson and the Seahawks have been "positive and encouraging."
How much do you think Russell Wilson is worth to the Seattle Seahawks? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
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