When the Chiefs traded for Tyrann Mathieu they were hoping to add more personality and star power to their struggling secondary. Although he has yet to play a down of football in Arrowhead, Mathieu has been using social media to help fulfill his purpose.
On Sunday, the talented safety added his two cents to the ongoing commotion surrounding Russell Wilson's future with the Seattle Seahawks. In a quote tweet, Mathieu fueled speculations that the Seahawks' franchise quarterback wants out to exchange Seattle's small market limitations for the glitz and glamour of the Big Apple.
"Russ wants New York," Mathieu stated. "But you ain't hear that from T."
Mathieu's comments come as contract negotiations between the Seahawks and Wilson approach a stalemate. In 2015, Wilson agreed to a four-year $87.6 million deal that made him the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL. As the final season of his contract approaches, the Super Bowl-winner isn't even one of the top ten paid players at his position. As a result, Wilson is seeking a new contract that grows as the league's salary cap increases.
While this deal mirrors contracts given by the MLB, it would be unprecedented in the NFL. Due to the nature of his request, the Seahawks and Wilson have been struggling to reach an agreement. This led Wilson and his associates to give the franchise until April 15 to create an enticing offer or they'll retreat from negotiations.
Wilson's strict deadline combined with his historic proposition has critics and fans assuming that he's merely trying to pressure the Seahawks into trading him. Almost simultaneous to the beginning of his contract dispute, rumors started to surface claiming that Wilson is interested in succeeding Eli Manning as the Giants' quarterback.
These reports were backed by whispers of New York City being more suitable for his wife Ciara's career than Seattle. Yet even if Wilson and the Seahawks do not reach an agreement today, Seattle could implement their franchise tags to keep Wilson from being an unrestricted free agent for two years after his contract expires. However, it seems like Wilson and the Giants are prepared for this potential impediment as New York general manager Dave Gettleman stated he's willing to extend Eli's contract to ensure a suitable successor is secured. This perceived arrangement between the Giants and Wilson, in addition to comments from NFL insiders like Mathieu, gives the feel that a Wilson/New York dynasty is a strong possibility.
