Seth Udinski, FISM News
In NFL news, superstar veteran QB Russell Wilson has received a massive contract extension with the Denver Broncos, while Los Angeles Rams’ defensive end Aaron Donald justified his helmet-swinging rampage at last week’s joint practice with the Bengals.
On Thursday, the 11-year veteran quarterback and former longtime Seattle Seahawk Russell Wilson was awarded a whopping $245 million contract extension over five years, which includes $165 million guaranteed. That guaranteed money total is third-highest in the NFL behind Arizona’s Kyler Murray and Cleveland’s suspended QB DeShaun Watson, according to ESPN.
Broncos, QB Russell Wilson agree to terms on a 5-year, $245M extension which includes $165M guaranteed. (via @rapsheet) pic.twitter.com/Nhun83wMo3
— NFL (@NFL) September 1, 2022
The Broncos believe Wilson, 33, still has several productive years left in a Hall of Fame career. Denver fans remember all too well a young Wilson leading a 43-8 rout of the Broncos back in Super Bowl XLVIII when he was a member of the Seahawks. That was the last time the Broncos had a perennial all-star at the quarterback position in Payton Manning, so the organization is now hitching its wagon to another aging star in hopes of capturing the franchise’s fourth Super Bowl title.
Wilson is still being paid by Seattle, and he will make in the mid-$20 million range during these next two years before his yearly salary skyrockets to $49 million a year.
Donald justifies brawl
Meanwhile, former NFL Defensive Player of the Year and defending Super Bowl champion Aaron Donald seemed to justify his controversial actions at a joint practice last week with the Cincinnati Bengals. Donald started a wild brawl where he was swinging two helmets at Bengals players before being shoved to the ground.
In an interview with the Associate Press on Wednesday, Donald said,
It was just a practice. It was football. I don’t really want to go back to nothing negative that happened and talk about something that happened in a practice. My main focus is Buffalo.
Donald’s last statement referenced the Rams’ opening night clash with the Buffalo Bills on September 8, a prime time battle in Los Angeles that many believe could be a precursor to this year’s Super Bowl.