Percy Harvin had a lot of reasons to be happy Tuesday. Harvin not only escaped Minnesota, but he landed a big payday in the process.
Seattle completed a trade with the Vikings that included the Seahawks sending first- and seventh-round picks in the NFL draft next month and a third-round selection in 2014 to Minnesota for the wide receiver-kick returner. Harvin’s new contract was a reported $67 million for six years, with $25.5 million in guarantees.
“I really don’t have words to describe how I feel,” Harvin said. “I was talking to coach (Pete) Carroll, I haven’t slept in three days just anticipating this opportunity.”
Harvin denied that, despite brooding often in Minnesota, he was leaving the Vikings on bad terms with coach Leslie Frazier and quarterback Christian Ponder.
“That first one is absolutley false,” Harvin said at a news conference. “Me and coach Frazier have a great relationship. He has the utmost respect for me and I have the utmost respect for him.
“Throughout this whole thing we texted each other. … I have nothing but love for that whole Vikings organization and from the texts I have been receiving they have nothing but love for me. For now, everyone is happy. Time will tell if it remains that way.
Harvin also couldn’t hide his enthusiasm about the chance to play with quarterback Russell Wilson. Why?
“For one, his body of work, I think last year speaks for itself,” Harvin said. “Secondly, hearing the way he prepares, I admire it already. He’s been texting me, I came here today, he was watching film. The offseason hasn’t really kicked in with this guy. He’s already in there watching film, trying to organize things. I admire people who work hard, that like to work. How could you not be a fan of him?”
Vikings general manager Rick Spielman said the opportunity to deal Harvin came up quickly.
“We had something that presented itself that we felt would not only help us in the short term but in the long term as well,” he said.
Injuries limited Harvin, 24, to nine games last season, his fourth in the NFL. Harvin caught 62 pases for 677 yards and three touchdowns.