Russell Wilson Gets A Nice Bonus Check
By Keith Myers
Jan 6, 2013; Landover, MD, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) celebrates as he leaves the field after the game against the Washington Redskins in the NFC Wild Card playoff game at FedEx Field. The Seahawks won 24-14. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Russell Wilson was cut a nice little check today by the league office for $222,000. That might be pocket change for some NFL QBs, but it’s more than half what his salary for 2012 was, so I’m guessing he’s pretty happy about it.
Why the extra moola? It came from the rookie pay for performance pool.
The pay for performance pool was created in 2011 with the new CBA. Since rookie contracts were greatly restricted and their ability to renegotiate was eliminated, the league created this pool to help pay players who greatly out-performed their contract level.
The rookie pool money comes directly from the league office, and doesn’t not count against the salary cap in any way.
Let’s face it, if there was any rookie who out-performed their contract, it was Wilson.
I suggest he use a small portion of it to buy a really comfy chair for the film room. We all know he practically lives in there, he might as well have some back support.