The long and winding process that ultimately gave birth to Russell Wilson's four-year, $87.6 million extension was far from smooth for the Seahawks -- or their star passer.
Now that it's over, though, Wilson spoke Friday with a bounce in his step. The kind of bounce that comes with $61.53 million in guarantees.
"I didn't think it was personal. I knew it was business. At the end of the day, I'm happy to be a Seahawk," Wilson said. "I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. It's a blessing to be here on a championship-type team and the goal is to win the Super Bowl this year."
Wilson said that he and his agent set a date for a deal to be finalized so that he "could leave it all behind" and focus on football, saying: "Around 11 o'clock last night, I guess we got it figured out. So it was pretty cool."
Wilson used the press conference to thank and praise his agent, his family, his coaches, his songstress girlfriend Ciara, Yankees icon Derek Jeter and, yes, President Barack Obama.
The quarterback mostly shrugged off his newfound wealth, but acknowledged that seeing a $31 million signing bonus land in his checking account is something "you work for your whole life."
"My focus the whole time," Wilson said, "has pretty much been on getting ready for the season. You know, I've been excited about that, just to play football again. Ultimately, no matter how much I make, down the road or in the past, or whatever, it's always been about the game and trying to get ready."
Said Wilson: "I'm always an optimist. An ultimate one. I always believed that it would work out and always believed that I wanted to play here, obviously, so it was exciting."
Coach Pete Carroll made it clear the team never wavered, either.
"It was imminent. It was coming the whole time. You know, we wanted to do it. It was his turn," Carroll said. "It was a long process to get it done, but now that it's over, it's great."
Wilson's deal was another rock-solid reminder that quality quarterbacks will always get their scratch. For all the drama, there was never a realistic threat of Wilson playing anywhere but Seattle and continuing his career with a squad that will remain in the Super Bowl conversation for years to come.
"The train doesn't stop now," said Wilson. "There's a lot more to do."
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