Russell Wilson says he intends to fulfill Seahawks contract, be with Seattle “20 years”
Not only is Russell Wilson not considering waiving his no-trade clause to leave the Seahawks, he intends to stay in Seattle past his contract that ends after 2023.
Way, WAY past.
Wednesday brought an unsubstantiated video report on Twitter from a supposed “insider” that Wilson “would strongly consider waiving his no-trade clause for the Giants, Broncos and Saints.”
Thursday, Wilson was asked if he intended to honor his $140 million Seahawks contract through the 2023 season that has that no-trade clause in it.
“Yeah, that’s my hope,” the 33-year-old, 10th-year veteran Seahawks leader said. “My hope’s not to just fulfill it, hopefully I get to play here for, you know, 20 years of my career.
“Will that happen? I don’t know. But that’s my prayer. That’s my hope.”
Wilson said he had seen Wednesday’s report about him allegedly considering waiving his no-trade clause only because “someone sent it to me.”
He directly called that report inaccurate.
“No, that’s not in my head now, at all,” he said. “I didn’t say that. I’m focused on what we’re doing here. I love Seattle. This is a place that I’ve loved every day, every moment. ...
“I love this place. I love this space. I love where my mind’s at. I love where our team’s at. I think we can be better in this journey, but we can go as far as we want to go. That’s five weeks, and plus. I think that’s where my head is.
“That’s a non-story.”
A league source told The News Tribune Wednesday night the report had no credible basis.
Wilson created some of this ongoing soap opera.
He made waves 10 months ago across the NFL when he said “I’m frustrated with getting hit too much” in Seattle. That was after nine years of him being the league’s most-sacked quarterback. His comments came days after he and his wife Ciara watched in person in Tampa, Florida, as Tom Brady won his sixth Super Bowl in February.
That eventually had him talking last offseason to 14-year veteran left tackle Duane Brown and other Seahawks teammates, to smooth over any hard feelings about Wilson seemingly criticizing and outing his offensive line.
Then in March his agent, Mark Rodgers, told ESPN the quarterback has not asked the Seahawks to trade him—but if they did want to deal him Rodgers gave Seattle general manger John Schneider four teams which Wilson would accept going to: the Cowboys, Bears, Saints and Raiders.
In June, Wilson said “I did not request a trade. I’ve always wanted to play here” in Seattle, the team that drafted him in the third round in 2012. Coach Pete Carroll made him the Seahawks’ starter from the preseason of Wilson’s rookie year.
This season Wilson has missed games because of injury for the first time in his career, after 165 consecutive starts. He had surgery Oct. 8 to repair a torn tendon and fractures in the middle finger of his right, throwing hand.
Wilson returned to practice in four weeks, half the time his Los Angeles surgeon initially told him he may be out. He missed three games then returned to play Nov. 14 at Green Bay.
It’s obvious now he came back too soon.
Wilson’s deep passes, renowned for their accuracy and zip, wobbled and floated in the cold Wisconsin air. The Packers became the first team to shut out Wilson in a game.
That was the first of three consecutive losses for the Seahawks, with Wilson making uncharacteristically poor throws and decisions. He threw interceptions into coverage in the end zone in each of those three games, and Seattle sunk to 3-8 for the first time in Wilson’s career.
He rebounded last weekend against San Francisco. He completed 30 of 37 passes for three touchdowns that would have been a career high-tying five, had tight end Gerald Everett not dropped the ball twice at the goal line. His long passes did not flutter. They were accurate with zing.
After the Seahawks’ win over the 49ers, Wilson pointed out it was now eight weeks past the surgery, as the surgeon had initially said would be his full healing time.
He and the Seahawks (4-8) play at Houston (2-10) while still, improbably, on the fringes of playoff contention in the largely mediocre NFC, even while 15th in the 16-team conference. San Francisco at 6-6 holds the final playoff spot. Seattle is two games behind, and has beaten the 49ers twice this season.
Wilson said perhaps the coolest part of last weekend’s win, for him, was feeling the energy and positive flow on the Seahawks’ sideline throughout the game.
“Everyone knows what we are fighting for,” he said of his teammates.
Wilson said they are focused on winning these final five games, getting to 9-8, and rallying into the postseason for the ninth time in 10 years.
“Starve your distractions,” Wilson said.
“Feed your focus.”
This story was originally published December 9, 2021 at 1:36 PM.
