Russell Wilson Is The Highest-Paid Player In The NFL

The extension deal also included a $65 million signing bonus.

What We Know:

  • Russell Wilson made the divisional round of the 2019-2020 playoffs and was the 75th overall pick in the 2012 draft. Wilson made $750,000 in his rookie year. When compared to an average salary, it is considered cheap for a quarterback.
  • In 2015, Wilson signed his second contract with the Seahawks and in a span of four years, he made $88 million. Today, the average annual salary is $35 million.
  • Wilson also has additional income coming from other sources. He has endorsement deals with Nike, Mercedes, Bose, and many more. He is going into the business world by launching a mobile gaming app called Tally which is supported by Amazon’s creator Jeff Bezos and Alibaba‘s co-founder Joe Tsai. Wilson also started a fashion line called Good Man Brand.
  • Although Wilson is incredibly wealthy, he also likes to share it as well. In 2019, after signing a $140 million contract he gave $156,000 worth of Amazon stock to 13 of his offensive linemen who were assigned to block and protect him. Wilson said in a letter to his linemen “You sacrifice your physical and mental well-being to protect me, which in turn allows me to provide care for my family…Now it is my turn to return the favor.”

In 2014, he launched the Why Not You Foundation with the purpose of motivating and empowering the youth.