QB Wilson wants new deal
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has given the franchise a deadline of April 15 by which he expects negotiations on a new contract to be completed, the Seattle Times reported.
Wilson is set to enter the final season of the four-year, $87.6 million extension he signed in the 2015 offseason. He’s set to earn $17 million in base salary in 2019, and his $21.9 million average annual salary puts him 12th in the NFL for quarterbacks, behind players such as Nick Foles of the Jaguars, Joe Flacco of the Broncos and Alex Smith of the Redskins.
April 15 is the start of the first phase of the Seahawks’ offseason workout program, and participation is voluntary. It’s customary, however, for quarterbacks to be active and present for such sessions.
The report from the Times didn’t indicate what Wilson will do if the contract isn’t executed by his desired date.
♦ The Bears are re-signing long snapper Patrick Scales to a one-year contract, sources confirmed. Scales appeared in all 16 games last season. He and punter/holder Pat O’Donnell will work with a series of placekicker candidates to try to fix an area in which the Bears struggled last season.
NBA
Russell joins Wilt with 20-20-20 game
Russell Westbrook scored 20 points, grabbed 20 rebounds and handed out 21 assists, becoming only the second player in NBA history to reach 20 or more in all three categories, to carry the Thunder to a 119-103 victory against the visiting Lakers.
Wilt Chamberlain had 22 points, 25 rebounds and 21 assists for the 76ers in a 131-121 victory against the Pistons on Feb. 2, 1968.
♦The Wizards fired president Ernie Grunfeld after 16 seasons in charge of the team. The move came with four games left in a disappointing season in which the Wizards have compiled a 32-46 record.
NHL
Preds’ Watson back from suspension
Predators forward Austin Watson was back in the lineup for the first time since being suspended by the NHL more than two months ago for alcohol abuse. He missed 27 games after being suspended Jan. 29.
Watson began the season serving an 18-game suspension after pleading no-contest to a domestic-assault charge in July.
♦ The Red Wings agreed to terms with coach Jeff Blashill on a two-year contract extension. Blashill, 45, is nearing the end of his fourth season as the coach of the Red Wings, who are going through a rebuild.