Russell Wilson is used to being in the public eye -- for about five months out of the year.
This year, the Seahawks quarterback was plastered in the headlines nearly year-round. And now he is arguably having his worst year as a professional.
Russell Wilson's career trajectory is following that of Colin Kaepernick
Coincidence?
Wilson says yes.
Ciara Responds To Rumors She's Pregnant With Russell Wilson's Baby
The fourth-year QB started his 2015 by throwing an interception at the Patriots 1-yard line on Seattle's would-be game-winning drive with a minute left in the Super Bowl.
Shortly thereafter, he was making news because of the impasse over his negotiations with the Seahawks for a contract extension.
And to top it off, he began dating pop singer Ciara and has been the subject of tabloid fodder ever since.
But Wilson is adamant his struggles have nothing to do with any off-the-field "noise," according to the Seattle Times.
He and Ciara have been active on social media about their relationship, which has added to the increased attention on his personal life.
When asked about his Twitter activity, Wilson said, "I keep most of it private. My private life is my private life, but at the same time, there's no fear or anything like that. I'm grateful for the people I have in my life and the surroundings from the team to my friends. I'm sure you're referring to Ciara, too; she's an unbelievable person. That's a part of, but I think ultimately when it comes down to football, the focus is on football. That's just how it has to be and how it always is."
He also denied feeling any increased burden to lead Seattle because of his four-year, $87.6 million contract signed just prior to training camp.
"No, I don't think so at all," he said, the Times reported. "People want to make it something else, but for me I just love the game of football. I love working. I love coming to work. I love getting here early and leaving late. That's what it's about. I think ultimately I love the guys on this football team. Nothing has changed."
That's not true. Wilson's quarterback rating of 56.69, according to Pro Football Reference, is the worst of his career, as is his 91.7 passing efficiency rating. Only 3.8 percent of his passes have been for touchdowns (10 this season), the lowest of his career, and 2.6 percent of his passes have been interceptions (7), his highest ever.
And he has been sacked 33 times in just nine games, matching his entire rookie season.
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll called out Wilson for missing opportunities for big plays in Seattle's 39-32 loss to the Cardinals.
"I think that in this game, we talk about the ones that got away, the throws that got away from us, and the opportunities that got away, there were plenty of them in there," Carroll said.
The Seahawks have led in the fourth quarter of all five losses they've incurred this season.
Wilson doesn't have an explanation for his struggles.
It's likely defenses now have a better blueprint of how to play against Wilson after watching him for four seasons. But instead of rushing to Twitter or Instagram to post photos of himself with Ciara in Batman and Catwoman costumes, Wilson might be better served in figuring out how to counter the defenses' tactics.
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