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Russell Wilson, unhappy with his contract situation, or at least, unhappy with what the Seahawks have offered to extend his contract past 2015, is set to make over $1.5 million this year. Sure, it's more than enough money for Wilson to donate to a good cause, but is it enough money for Wilson to donate to a good cause and invest in Turtle's liquor company?
I didn't think so.
"Come on, Vince. You invested in the Murphy Group!"
Of course, $1.5 million is barely anything in today's NFL market, especially for a top-10 QB, but in a time not so long ago it would have made him among the highest-paid players in the game. The average salary in 1991 was $422,149, and that was up 18.5% from 1990, when it was $356,382.
The average salary in 1989 was $299,616.
To put that in perspective, the minimum salary today is $435,000.
Russell Wilson has started his career almost as well as Dan Marino did, and to be fair, is already being paid like Marino was in his prime.
If Kristjan Sokoli or Obum Gwacham make the team this year, they'll be guaranteed to make more than most NFL stars from the 80s. Which is fitting because "Obum Gwacham" sounds like something you might chant to close an evil gate in an 80s horror movie.
Were this 1988 or so and Wilson started his career as a third round pick on a small rookie deal, he could have been making as little as $50,000 based on the minimum salary that year. Think about that for a moment, because $50,000 in 1988 is worth about $100,500 today with inflation.
I'm not an accountant or nothin' but as you can see, just being in the league today is a lot more valuable than it was in '88, the year Wilson was born.
In 1991, there were 18 defensive lineman making more than $1 million per season and 24 years later, Wilson is potentially looking to make more than all of those guys combined in the first year of his new deal. Which is -- lucky for him -- pretty fair, based on what the market has dictated a franchise quarterback is worth today.
And to think, I'd take a raise for writing for Field Gulls and would accept as little as $3.5 per year.
Sorry, I mean $3.50 per year.