By Scott M. Johnson
Herald Writer
Talks are continuing between the Seattle Seahawks and the agent for quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, but no agreement appears imminent regarding a contract extension.
Hasselbeck, acquired by the Seahawks in March, is scheduled to make about $470,000 next season as part of a contract that expires after the 2001 season. But agent Vann McElroy is hoping to get Hasselbeck signed to an extension before the season begins.
“That would be the best situation so he can do nothing but play,” McElroy said. “I don’t care what type of person you are, that kind of thing affects you and affects your play. You worry about security, about your future, about injury, all that. And it affects you.
” … Hopefully we’ll get something done. That would be the best thing for all parties.”
Working out a new contract for Hasselbeck is difficult because there are few comparable precedents with which to compare. The only two recent cases of a backup quarterback being acquired and immediately named the starter were when Jacksonville’s Rob Johnson went to Buffalo and Miami’s Scott Mitchell went to Detroit. After being dealt to the Bills in 1998, Johnson signed a five-year deal worth $25 million that included a then-franchise-record $8.5 million signing bonus. Mitchell signed a three-year deal worth $11.1 million with the Lions after beginning his career as Dan Marino’s backup.
Both quarterbacks had spent part of an NFL season as a starter prior to signing those deals.
The top two quarterbacks on this year’s free agent market, Brad Johnson and Elvis Grbac, each signed five-year deals worth close to $30 million. They are also proven commodities at the NFL level.
Because he has only thrown 29 regular-season passes – none of them with the Seahawks – Hasselbeck probably won’t be getting that kind of money anytime soon. The Seahawks do not comment on contract negotiations, but it’s safe to say they would like to see Hasselbeck perform in regular-season games before handing him a large contract.
“There’s a lot of quarterbacks who have come in unproven and signed for a lot of money,” McElroy said. “Certainly, Michael Vick got a good (contract) down there (in Atlanta), and he was unproven.”
While a lot of negotiating remains to be done in regards to Hasselbeck’s next contract, McElroy doesn’t expect it to turn into another Joey Galloway situation.
“The desire by both parties is to eventually come to something agreeable,” McElroy said. “When that’s going to be, I don’t know yet.”
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