The numbers Russell Wilson points to in talking about his contract negotiations with the Seattle Seahawks don't lie.
Which is why a new number has cropped up in connection with his asking price: $25 million per season.
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ESPN reported that the Seahawks quarterback threw out that figure in an interview in summing up what he felt he deserved to reporter Marty Smith.
''I don't know,'' Wilson said. "How much would you pay me, Marty?
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"Ultimately, it comes down to the play," Wilson continued. "I let my play speak for itself and let the rest take care of itself. I continue to love the game for what it is and continue to fight and continue to play no matter how much I'm getting paid, no matter if it's $25 million or if it's $1.5 million. I'll be ready to go."
The $25 million would be $3 million more than the current highest-paid quarterback in the NFL, the Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers, makes. Wilson is seeking to become the highest-paid player in the game, which would mean exceeding Rodgers' five-year, $110 million deal and more than $50 million in guaranteed money.
Profootballtalk.nbcsports.com has put up a poll asking fans how much they think Wilson is worth, and the top answer as of Tuesday evening was between $15 million and $20 million per year at 36.2 percent of the vote.
The second-biggest response was $15 million or less at 22.97 percent, followed by between $20 million and $25 million at 20.46 percent and $20 million per year at 14.37 percent.
Only six percent thought Wilson was worth more than $25 million.
ESPN pressed Wilson on the issue of doubters' arguments that he isn't a "franchise quarterback," based on numbers.
"I don't know what numbers they're looking at," Wilson said.
"There's only one that matters. It comes down to wins. Wins and being clutch. I believe every time I have the opportunity, I'm going to find a way to win. There's a few times I haven't. But there's a few times I have."
Wilson is good with those numbers, according to ESPN. He has 15 fourth-quarter/overtime comebacks, which is most in the NFL since he entered the league in 2012, and his 36 regular-season wins over his first three years are the most by any quarterback.
His agent, however, jokingly said he wasn't happy with Wilson's comment, hypothetically speaking, the New York Post reported.
I wish he had said $40 million. Then this would be really interesting. #patience #relax #no_deadline— Mark Rodgers (@johnmarkrodgers) June 30, 2015
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