The Seattle Seahawks signed free agent quarterback Matt Flynn to a 3 year deal worth $19.5 million. They drafted Russell Wilson this year in the 3rd round and signed him to a 4 year deal worth just under $3 million dollars. In 2012, the rookie Wilson will hit Seattle’s Salary Cap to the tune of $544,850, while the veteran Flynn will set the Seahawks back $4 million. Despite the difference in pay, only one of these guys will be starting the 3rd preseason game and as of right now that starter will be the inexpensive Russell Wilson.
The 3rd preseason game is widely known as the dress rehearsal game in the NFL. You want your starters to play into the 3rd quarter so they can go through the halftime adjustments just like the regular season games. When Seattle head coach Pete Carroll named Wilson his starter for this week, he did so because he’d like to see if his rookie QB can achieve the success he’s had so far in the preseason, only this time with the 1st team offence.
In two games Wilson has completed 22 of 33 passes for 279 yards with 3 TD and 1 pick. Flynn is a modest 17 of 26 for 102 yards with no touchdowns and one interception.
Flynn picked up his big payday after playing on the talented Green Bay Packers offense for the last few years. His familiarity in their system led to his success while filling in for Aaron Rodgers. Flynns incredible New Year’s Day game against the Detroit Lions (31-44, 480 yds, 6 TD) all but assured him a ticket out of Green Bay, but the talent in Seattle is quite different than Green Bay.
Wilson was known as a heady and athletic player coming out of Wisconsin and had he measured in taller than 5’11” at the NFL Combine he would have been a higher draft pick. NFL scouts are quick to label a QB too short, so Wilson simply went out and wowed them all at the Combine leading to his 3rd round selection.
If Wilson can maintain his quality play this week against the Kansas City Chiefs, expect to see him get the nod when the season actually begins.
