The Seattle Seahawks was reportedly growing concerned over Ciara and Russell Wilson's popularity.
According to an item on the New York Post, the couple's popularity has apparently turned the NFL quarterback too Hollywood that his gameplay has purportedly gotten affected.
"Mort said there is some concern at #Seahawks HQ that Russell Wilson 'changed his approach' this year & is becoming more of a 'celebrity QB,'" Evan Silva tweeted at the time as cited by the source above.
In a report on The Big Lead last October, it was even mentioned that the NFL quarterback was asked to lessen his endorsement deals in a bid to downplay his exposure as well and get his focus back in the game.
Gossip swirled as well in November that the "1, 2 Step" singer has been another factor in the NFL quarterback's less impressive game. As told by My Northwest, several radio anchors have pointed out that his singer girlfriend might have become a distraction.
Amid the rumors, Russell Wilson insisted that he's still in the zone and that his relationship with Ciara and the added popularity it has brought has not been harmful.
"No, I don't think so at all," the NFL quarterback told Seattle PI last month. "People want to make it into something else, but for me I love the game of football. I love coming to work. I love getting here early and leaving late. That's what it's about. ... Nothing's changed. We just need to find ways to win."
Even the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks has somehow dispelled the rumors about Russell Wilson's performance now that he's dating Ciara. According to Pete Carroll, the quarterback has been the "best he's been."
"I think he's the best he's been in the pocket," Carroll told NBC Sports. "You can see him most solid with his reads and his decision-making and all of that. I think that was an illustration of it yesterday, that he has come a long way and he's really comfortable. He can rip the football and use all of his guys and use the whole field when we can give him a chance to. It's a real positive sign."
