Denver Broncos starting quarterback Russell Wilson got paid.
The team did not have to do it this quickly because he still had two years left on the final contract he signed with the Seattle Seahawks.
That deal carried over when the Seahawks traded him to the Broncos in exchange for five draft picks and three players.
However, the Broncos would like to lock in their play-caller for the long term, giving him a five-year, $245 million extension.
The $49 million annual average value makes him the second highest-paid player in the league behind Aaron Rodgers.
His contract includes $165 million in guaranteed money.
Before this extension, Wilson signed a four-year, $140 million deal in 2019.
But that annual average value has been rendered obsolete by the deals received by him, Rodgers, Deshaun Watson, Kyler Murray, Josh Allen, and Patrick Mahomes.
Those contracts will shape the quarterback market for the coming years, especially with the likes of Lamar Jackson, Justin Herbert, and Joe Burrow negotiating for their extensions.
As for Wilson, this deal puts him closer to a personal goal.
Russell Wilson is now under contract through his age-40 season. He has said he would like to play until he’s 45 years old. https://t.co/SPmP0PhaIv
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 1, 2022
Pro Football Focus writer Ari Meirov tweeted, “Russell Wilson is now under contract through his age-40 season. He has said he would like to play until he’s 45 years old.”
Iron Man Quarterbacks
Tampa Bay Buccaneers starter Tom Brady will have a chance to fulfill his desire to play football until he is 45.
He will do that once he receives a snap in their opening weekend game against the Dallas Cowboys.
On the other hand, Wilson still has a long way to go at 34 years old.
Therefore, he has more than a decade of football left to fulfill his desire.
As Wilson plays out his years with the Broncos, he hopes to continue the feat that veteran quarterbacks delivered to the franchise.
John Elway finally brought a Super Bowl title to his longtime team at 36 years old, while Peyton Manning achieved the same feat in Super Bowl 50 at age 39.
NEXT: Russell Wilson Is Now Behind Only Aaron Rodgers In Key Category