Doug Baldwin, Seahawks Agree to New Contract: Details, Reaction

Following his breakout 2015 season, wide receiver Doug Baldwin has a lucrative new contract with the Seattle Seahawks. 

Gee Scott of ESPN 710 in Seattle first reported Tuesday that Baldwin agreed to a new deal. ESPN's Adam Caplan added the four-year extension is worth $46 million and "just north" of $24 million guaranteed. 

Dan Graziano of ESPN, via his colleague Sheil Kapadia, reported Baldwin's deal includes $12 million guaranteed at signing with $12.25 million guaranteed for injury, with $7.75 million fully guaranteed in February 2017. An additional $4.5 million is guaranteed the year after.

Baldwin released a statement Tuesday, via Facebook regarding the deal: 

"

Man... It took me a while to put my thoughts together but here it goes:

It was 2011. I was sitting by myself at a small Mexican restaurant across the street from the Stanford campus. The draft had just ended and my name wasn't called. I sat in my chair unable to move as if my heart had just been ripped out of my chest. I've been playing football since I was 7 years old and, in that moment, it seemed like it was all coming to an end. I humbled myself and waited out the lockout for one last shot at my dream. Then... Seattle called and they wanted me. That was almost 5 years ago. This is now. I'm thankful and blessed to formally announce my 4 year extension with the Seattle Seahawks. It's been a long road to this point and I couldn't have accomplished this milestone without the guidance and support of my Mother, Cindy and the rest of my family; My best friend and fiancé, Tara; My mentor and agent Buddy Baker; and my amazing past and present teammates. Thank you to Paul Allen, John Schneider, Matt Thomas and Pete Carroll for believing in me and giving me a chance to prove and earn my worth. To the greatest fans in the world, thank you for your unwavering support. I get 4 more years of being a servant leader to the greatest teammates on the greatest team. And to my doubters, (who would I be if I didn't stir the pot) thank you. God had a purpose way before anyone had an opinion. All glory to the man above.

"

Seahawks general manager John Schnieder spoke about the deal on Wednesday, via Brady Henderson of 710 ESPN:

"

On behalf of Mr. Allen, coach Carroll and the entire Seahawks family, we are pleased to reward a player of Doug's caliber and extend him through the 2020 season. We identified Doug as a key player in our 2017 unrestricted class and as we continue to push to be a consistent championship caliber team, we care committed to keeping as many of our core players together as long as we possibly can.

"

The Seahawks had $10.17 million in cap room before Baldwin's contract, according to Curtis Crabtree of the Associated Press.

Baldwin will be a bargain for the Seahawks in 2016 before his new contract money kicks in. He is set to make $4 million in the final season of a two-year extension he originally signed in 2014, per Spotrac. 

He was never concerned about getting a deal done.

Baldwin said during an appearance on NFL Total Access (via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times) in May that discussions with the Seahawks would begin soon: “We’re going to be talking here shortly, at least that’s what I’ve been told. We’ll see how it goes. Of course, I’m not worried about it. I’m here working out with my teammates trying to get better for this upcoming season.’’

The 27-year-old Baldwin has increased his production each of the last three seasons, culminating in his first career 1,000-yard campaign in 2015. He also set career highs in receptions (78) and touchdowns (14), tying for the NFL lead in the latter category. 

In addition to Baldwin's impressive numbers, his rapport with Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson was incredible last year, per Pro Football Focus:

The Seahawks have done an outstanding job of identifying their core players and making sure to keep them under long-term contracts. Baldwin's extension puts him in good company among Seattle's biggest stars:

Player	Age	Expires
Russell Wilson	27	2020
Richard Sherman	28	2019
Bobby Wagner	26	2020
Earl Thomas	27	2019
K.J. Wright	26	2019
Kam Chancellor	28	2018

The Seahawks are in the mix for a Super Bowl every season because of their ability to find talent anywhere —especially late in the draft or, like in Baldwin's case, in undrafted free agency—develop it and sign it long term.

Baldwin was a slow burn, needing five years to show his full potential, but he has become one of the Seahawks' most important offensive weapons.

The pressure is now on Baldwin to continue his ascent into the elite category of wide receivers. No one will have a bigger chip on his shoulder and keep working harder to prove the doubters wrong, making Seattle's investment in him an excellent use of resources for 2016 and beyond.