Russell Wilson will shut down contract talks if no deal in place by Friday

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Monday, July 27, 2015

Russell Wilson will shut down contract negotiations with the Seahawks if he does not have a new deal by the time Seattle begins training camp on Friday, sources told ESPN's John Clayton and Jim Trotter.

Although a long-term deal for Wilson remains Seattle's top priority, the star quarterback does not want contract talks to extend into training camp, according to sources.

Wilson currently is scheduled to make $1.54 million this season -- the fourth and final year of his rookie contract -- and would face the possibility of being designated with the Seahawks' franchise tag next February if he does not reach a long-term deal.

The 26-year-old Wilson publicly has hinted that he is seeking a contract that would pay him approximately $25 million per year, a deal that would make him the NFL's highest-paid player.

The Seahawks, according to sources, would be willing to give Wilson a contract worth slightly less annually than the deal signed earlier this year by Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, the league's second-highest paid player who is scheduled to make $21.85 million per year.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is the NFL's highest-paid player, with a deal worth an average of $22 million annually.

Wilson has led the Seahawks to back-to-back Super Bowl appearances and has orchestrated 15 comebacks in the fourth quarter or overtime since entering the NFL in 2012, the league's highest total over that stretch.

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