Here’s an item that was largely overlooked in the aftermath of the 2015 NFL draft -- the player selected with the 75th pick in the 2012 NFL draft is no closer to a new deal.
In an interview with ESPN, Carroll said that talks with quarterback Russell Wilson are “going a little slow,” but that the process is “ongoing,” via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times.
As it relates to the formal exchange of offers and counteroffers, it won’t be going anywhere until Wilson’s camp responds to whatever Seattle most recently put on the table. Carroll specifically said that the team is “waiting to hear from their side.”
Condotta notes that, shortly after Carroll’s interview, Wilson responded with this message on Twitter: “I’d rather patiently wait & see what God has in store than do something that isn’t best for my life.”
That sounds like Wilson may not be responding any time soon, if at all. It possibly means Wilson will decide to play out his contract, forcing the Seahawks to decide whether to apply the exclusive or non-exclusive version of the franchise tag. The exclusive version would cost upwards of $25 million for 2016 (and nearly $100 million on a year-to-year basis over three years). The non-exclusive version would allow another team to swoop in with a major offer that, if not matched by the Seahawks, would result in Wilson changing teams -- and in Seattle receiving a pair of first-round draft picks.
For now, it appears that Wilson plans to drive a hard bargain, as passively as possible. And he has every right to drive a hard bargain, passively or aggressively. At some point, however, it will become difficult to reconcile posturing for top dollar with the ubiquitous cry of “Go ‘Hawks!”