Russell Wilson, Seahawks negotiations ongoing: Bonus, guaranteed money the sticking point, per report

Per a report on Saturday by Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the Seahawks have a $21 million per year offer out to quarterback Russell Wilson, but the particulars of that offer have not satisfied Wilson and his agent Mark Rodgers. Said Florio:

Word on the NFL grapevine is that the Seahawks have offered a package worth nearly $21 million per year, with significant guaranteed money. Whatever the current offer, Wilson, through agent Mark Rodgers, wants more.

Of course, "significant guaranteed money" is relative, and per an Ian Rapoport report Sunday morning, it's not just the per-year average salary that is holding up talks. "It's an issue of cash up front and guarantees," says Rapsheet, "in addition to the debate over a yearly salary."

Rapoport tweeted that the "hold up with Seahawks contract with Wilson is signing bonus/guaranteed money," saying that Seattle has "offered less than [what] Newton, Flacco & Ryan [got]."

Rapoport did confirm that the $21 million per year offer is "essentially correct," which would put Wilson among the league's highest paid quarterbacks, but still below the average-per-year salary of two: Aaron Rodgers and Ben Roethlisberger. Per Mike Florio, "The Seahawks currently don't want to exceed that number" of $22 million per year. "Currently" being the operative term, as I'll remind you once again that this is how negotiations work.

The soft deadline for getting things done between the two sides is set for either Thursday or Friday, depending on what day you (or more accurately, Wilson) considers the first day of training camp. Per reports, after football starts in earnest, Wilson and Rodgers will table discussions until the season is over. Again, though, this is how negotiations work, and having a "deadline" to get something done can spur a little (you know it's coming) action.

Deadlines spur action, alright. They do. Deadlines spur action. We'll see if this deadline of sorts (July 30th/July 31st) gets both sides to relent a little bit on their current demands. Wilson stands to make way (way, way) more money this year if he accepts a deal, but the Seahawks also stand to benefit from Wilson simply playing out his rookie deal at $1.5 million. Wilson also is the type to bet on himself, and he won't likely take less than he thinks he's worth just to get the cashflow this year increased. We'll see.