Russell Wilson Refuses to Blame Ciara or His $87 Million Contract for His Struggles This Season

A year ago, Russell Wilson wasn’t dating a famous R&B singer. He also didn’t have an $87 million contract to live up to. So when he didn’t play well, no one questioned it. They just chalked it up to him having a bad game.

Wilson is dating a famous R&B singer now, though—um, Ciara, if you somehow haven’t noticed—and he does have a brand-new $87 million contract. So when he struggles, which is what he’s been doing for an unusually large portion of the 2015-16 NFL season, people assume that one of those two things must be the reason for it.

Wilson says that’s not the case. During an interview with the Seattle Times this week, he downplayed any negative effect that Ciara or new money is having on him.

“No, I don’t think so at all,” he said when he was asked if his new contract has caused him to feel more pressure. “People want to make it something else, but for me, I just love the game of football. I love working. I love coming to work. I love getting here early and leaving late. That’s what it’s about. I think ultimately I love the guys on this football team. Nothing has changed.”

Well, things have changed. But Wilson contends that they haven’t changed him. He also spoke about why he shares so much of his life on social media now and makes everything so public.

“I keep most of it private,” he said. “My private life is my private life, but at the same time, there’s no fear or anything like that. I’m grateful for the people I have in my life and my surroundings from the team to my friends. I’m sure you’re referring to Ciara, too; she’s an unbelievable person. That’s a part of it, but I think ultimately when it comes down to football, the focus is on football. That’s just how it has to be and how it always is.”

Between losing to the Cardinals on Sunday night, getting called out by his offensive coordinator on Wednesday, and now this, it has been a long week for Wilson. Does anyone need a win more than him this weekend? Hey, at least he's not Aaron Rodgers!

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[via Seattle Times]