Russell Wilson's list of accomplishments five years into his career is as impressive as anything you'll ever find on a young NFL quarterback's résumé.
He's already a four-time Pro Bowl selection who has set numerous franchise records, including this year's 4,219 passing yards and last season's 34 touchdown passes. He also led the NFL in passer rating last season with a franchise-best 110.1 mark. His career passer rating of 99.6 is the second best in league history for players with at least 1,500 pass attempts, and his 127 touchdowns through five seasons trail only Dan Marino (168), Peyton Manning (138) and Andrew Luck (132).
More importantly, Wilson has been a big part of the most successful run in team history, helping the Seahawks to two Super Bowl appearances and one title, three NFC West championships and five straight playoff berths dating back to 2012. Wilson's 64 wins, postseason included, are the most by a quarterback through five seasons, and his eight postseason victories are second most behind Tom Brady and Joe Flacco, who each won nine.
Yet in a way all of that success can mask what might be the most encouraging aspect about Wilson when it comes to the Seahawks' future—the best is almost certainly still to come. Because he accomplished so much in his career in so little time, it's sometimes hard to remember that Wilson, by NFL quarterback standards, is still relatively young, which means he's still learning the finer points of playing one of the most mentally demanding positions in sports.
"It will be just continued comfort with what's going on," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said when asked what he's expecting from Wilson heading into his sixth season. "His sense for anticipation of stuff, all of those things, just the feel. I think he'll feel the pocket better, I think he'll feel his receivers better, I think he'll feel the urgency more clearly. You just get better. Remember that we're comparing him to guys that have played for 11 and 12 and 13 years. We compare him to the best in the world, because he's worthy of that, but look at them when they were 6-years-old (in their careers). What were they doing, how many of those guys won so many games, how many of those guys were in the playoffs five times? I don't know how many games he has won but he has won probably as many as anyone who's ever started playing the game. He has been in position to do a lot of stuff and he has had a good team around him to do that, of course, but he has still got tons of growth."
As Carroll notes, Wilson gets compared to far more experienced quarterbacks, and for good reason—he has played at that level early in his career. But Wilson also has a lot to learn compared to someone like Aaron Rodgers or Drew Brees or Tom Brady. Rodgers didn't even start until his fourth season, while Brees and Brady weren't putting up the crazy numbers that now seem commonplace for them until they were years into their careers. Even Matt Ryan, who like Wilson won 56 games in his first five seasons, didn't eclipse 4,200 yards or 30 touchdowns until his sixth season.
"Look how remarkable of a player he is," Carroll said of Rodgers. "And Tom's the same way. Look at the playoffs right now, look at these quarterbacks that are playing. They're freaking off the charts. That's all out there for (Wilson). He's going to get better. He's going to get a lot better and it's just going to come naturally and there's no way to get there, but just he needs experiences and keep doing it."
Wilson, who in part due to multiple injuries had one of his worst statistical seasons this year—and it was still a very productive season—agrees with his coach that better play is ahead of him. That's why after Seattle's playoff loss in Atlanta he said, "I'm looking forward to what's ahead. I think the best is ahead." And it's why, a day after that loss, his focus wasn't on getting some deserved rest, but rather on what he could do to get better.
"Just continuing to get faster, stronger, just continuing to learn as much as I can, like always," Wilson said of his focus this offseason. "Just the same stuff, continuing to build. I love this game, I'm passionate about this game, I'm passionate about trying to be the best in the world—I have no fear in saying that—so I just take every day one step at a time and just try to grow and learn as much as I can and continue to strive to be the best… I'm excited about this offseason of training my butt off to be the best."
There are elements of high-level quarterback play that are evident from Day 1, whether that comes in the form of arm strength or accuracy or playmaking ability, but other more subtle points of quarterback play take time to develop, which is why Carroll gets so excited talking about what is still to come for Wilson. Whether it is anticipation in the passing game or the pocket awareness and movement that veterans like Rodgers, Brady, Carson Palmer and others use to avoid a pass rush without needing Wilson's level of athletic ability.
"It's going to be thrilling to watch what happens in the next three or four years," Carroll said. "Get him to year eight or nine and see where he's going to be, you know?"
Team photographer Rod Mar shares exclusive behind-the-scenes images from the Seattle Seahawks' trip to Atlanta for the Divisional Round of the playoffs against the Falcons.
On Thursday afternoon, Seahawks employees lined 12 Seahawks Way to send the team off for the Divisional Round playoff game at Atlanta.
Fans were waiting near Sea Tac airport for the convoy of team buses to pass on the way to the airport.
A 12 flag adorns the machinery used to tow the Delta aircraft the team uses for its charter at Sea Tac airport.
Upon arrival in Atlanta, quarterback Russell Wilson makes his way across the tarmac to the waiting buses.
On Friday afternoon, players including Russell Wilson, Brandon Williams, Marcus Lucas and Cassius Marsh waited in the warm sunshine before boarding the buses for walk thru.
Tight end Marcus Lucas and receiver Jermaine Kearse pose for a photo before boarding the buses for walk thru.
Highway signs point the way to downtown Atlanta as the team heads to walk thru.
Cassius Marsh and Richard Sherman compare basketball post-up moves after departing buses at the walk thru site.
The Seahawks were greeted by former University of Washington and current Boston Celtics basketball player Isaiah Thomas. Thomas, who played his high school basketball, is an avid 12 and good friend of Seahawks receiver Jermaine Kearse (right).
Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell instructs quarterback Russell Wilson during walk thru.
After their part of the walk thru, offensive players play a game of tapping a football in the air, and they were joined by Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas for a couple of rounds.
Running back Thomas Rawls stretched out on the turf of the indoor practice facility at Georgia Tech.
Former Seahawks receiver Ricardo Lockette was also a visitor to walk thru, and he visited with receiver Jermaine Kearse.
The Seahawks walk into the Georgia Dome for a quick visit on Friday, the day before the game.
Seahawks running backs Terrence Magee, Alex Collins, Thomas Rawls and C.J. Prosise pose for a camera phone as they walk off the field at the Georgia Dome.
On Friday night, hundreds of enthusiastic 12s gathered for a Seahawks rally in downtown Atlanta.
On game day, Russell Wilson walks from the hotel to the waiting buses for the trip to the Georgia Dome for the Divisional Round playoff game.
Seahawks head coach greets former player turned broadcaster Michael Robinson on the field before the game.
Bobby Wagner signs autographs for fans after completing his early warmups.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson walks off the field after his early warmup throws.
Now dressed for the game, Seahawks quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Trevone Boykin leave the locker room and head to the field for pregame warmups.
Quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Trevone Boykin, along with quarterbacks coach Carl Smith gather together for a word before taking the field.
Minutes later, the defensive backs, led by Kam Chancellor and Richard Sheman headed down a walkway from the locker room to the field for pregame warmups.
Defensive backs including Jeron Johnson, DeShawn Shead, Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor and Dewey McDonald form their traditional pregame huddle.
Quarterback Russell Wilson greets his teammates including Devin Hester and Paul Richardson as they return to the locker room following pregame warmups.
Defensive end Frank Clark wore custom cleats for the game.
Tight end Jimmy Graham found a moment to himself in the locker room in the moments before the game.
The Seahawks gather around team leaders Kam Chancellor, Michael Bennett, Russell Wilson, Doug Baldwin and Richard Sherman before leaving the locker room for kickoff.
The Seahawks stand at attention for the national anthem prior to kickoff.
The Seahawks started the game strong behind the running of Thomas Rawls.
Jimmy Graham yells after scoring the game's opening touchdown on a pass from Russell Wilson on the game's first drive.
Richard Sherman listens to instruction from defensive coordinator Kris Richard during a media time out.
Seahawks defenders including Mike Morgan, Jeron Johnson and Kam Chancellor make a tackle in the first half.
Speedy receiver Paul Richardson heads upfield after a first half pass reception.
At halftime, defensive coordinator talked to his players in the locker room.
On the other end of the locker room, quarterbacks coach Carl Smith instructed Russell Wilson and Trevone Boykin.
Seahawks personnel wait as the team's medical staff attended to injured cornerback DeShawn Shead.
Wide receiver Paul Richardson catches a long pass up the right sideline.
Seahawks defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin sacks Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan in the third quarter.
Seattle's Doug Baldwin lunges but can't quite get to a long pass thrown by quarterback Russell Wilson.
Seahawks fans in the stands at the Georgia Dome show concern as the clock runs in the second half.
Seahawks defensive tackle Michael Bennett gets into the Atlanta backfield to tackle Falcons running back Tevin Coleman for a loss.
Seahawks return specialist Devin Hester takes a kickoff 78 yards to set up a touchdown on the ensuing drive.
Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls sits on the bench in the final moments of the game.
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll stand on the field during a replay challenge in the fourth quarter.
Receiver Doug Baldwin and return specialist Devin Hester sit on the bench after the final whistle ended the Seahawks season with a loss in the Divisional Round at Atlanta.
Quarterback Russell Wilson and defensive lineman Michael Bennett walk off the field together after the game.
Head coach Pete Carroll spoke to the team in the visitor's locker room after the game.
Seahawks Jermaine Kearse, Doug Baldwin, Russell Wilson and Richard Sherman listen to head coach Pete Carroll's postgame talk in the visitor's locker room at the Georgia Dome.
The Seahawks join hands for the final time of the 2016-17 season.
Head coach Pete Carroll walked through the locker room and hugged players after the game.
The Seahawks descend the stairs after arriving back in Seattle well after midnight on Sunday morning.
