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Warren Moon: Russell Wilson is ‘only going to get better’
Jul 31, 2015, 12:35 PM | Updated: 1:49 pm
The NFL's second-highest paid quarterback had to overcome plenty of adversity to get to where he is today. (AP)
(AP)
The NFL’s second-highest paid quarterback had to overcome plenty of adversity to get to where he is today.
It was difficult for people to accept a 5-foot-10 Russell Wilson as a starting quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks. But he proved his worth when he signed a four-year contract extension with the team on Friday.
“Adversity comes in a lot of different forms,” said Warren Moon, former Seahawks quarterback and friend of Wilson’s. “His was still adversity.
“It was the same way for me with color,” Moon told KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson. “We had a lot of similarities, although not the same issue.”
Wilson signed a four-year extension reportedly worth $87.6 million, with a $31 million signing bonus and $60 million guarantee. The $21.9 annual average would be the second highest in the NFL, behind Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers.
Related: Seahawks, Russell Wilson agree to reported four-year, $87.6M extension
That paycheck is five times the amount of money Moon made on his beat deal, he told Dori. But, it’s all relative. The game keeps growing, Moon said.
“They should be very happy for what they’re making,” he added.
Though he wasn’t directly involved in contract negotiations, Wilson and Moon discussed the process, Moon told Dori. The main thing Moon told Wilson is that he can’t take anything personally during the negotiations, even if it seems like a personal attack.
“The organization does care about him,” Moon said. “But it is a business.”
With the huge bump in his salary, should fans be worried about Wilson becoming complacent? Dori wondered.
“This is one guy I don’t think you have to worry about complacency,” Moon responded. “He wants to be a great player.”
Wilson took care of himself during the offseason, Moon added.
“If anything he is only going to be better.”
The Seahawks’ starting quarterback should appreciate the contract he received, but should also expect that he might not be the second-highest paid quarterback in the league for long. With other players’ contracts being negotiated, other quarterbacks could “catapult” over Wilson, Moon said.
