Russell Wilson: Texas Rangers want me to play baseball

Mar 28, 2015; Surprise, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson practices with the Texas Rangers on the practice fields at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 28, 2015; Surprise, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson practices with the Texas Rangers on the practice fields at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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As Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson is on the verge of a new contract, the Texas Rangers want him to play baseball.

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By all reports, the Seahawks are not very close to coming to an agreement with their Super Bowl winning quarterback Russell Wilson. At first it was some kind of crazy guaranteed money contract that no one had ever done before, then it was the Seahawks letting Wilson play out his rookie contract and franchising him next year. Now it’s nearly May, and there’s nothing new to report and the two sides are no closer to finalizing a deal. Meanwhile, Wilson headed to MLB Spring Training to play for the Rangers and instead of NFL contract talks, there’s talk that he might really want to play baseball too.

Wilson was recently interviewed by HBO’s Bryant Gumbel and when the quotes first started to circulate, they had the tone of either a top athlete who believes he can do anything or possibly a feint to give the Seahawks something to think about as they continue to negotiate. However, now the full interview has emerged and it sounds a lot more like Wilson is pretty serious about wanting to play baseball.

Gumbel addressed Wilson’s relatively low stats that he compiled in the minors.

"“Numbers were .227 average, five homers, 26 RBI.  If the numbers were better, would you [play baseball and football]?” (via PFT)"

Wilson responded that stats aren’t everything, that he has the work ethic to make it at the big league level. He then threw down the bomb that not only do the Rangers have his rights for a reason, but GM Jon Daniels wants him to play and they’ve even talked about it recently.

On the other side of it, Seahawks GM John Schneider is not putting it past Wilson to play baseball or to succeed at playing baseball. He admitted he thought it would be difficult, considering Wilson’s position, but that the way the 25 year old attacks everything, he wouldn’t be surprised if he could succeed.

Would Wilson play baseball or is it just a feint to nudge those contract negotiations along? Considering that one of the reasons Wilson went to Wisconsin is due to his then-coach laying down a football-only ultimatum, you have to believe that Wilson is serious about wanting to play baseball.

Should Wilson play baseball? That answer depends on who you ask. This writer says yes, however. Wilson should give baseball another try. It’s not like it’s never been done before. Bo Jackson anyone? Russell Wilson is a truly talented athlete and if there’s any player currently out there who could succeed at both sports, it’s him. Why not let him try?

H/T Pro Football Talk

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