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Although NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has called the huge contracts that go to high draft picks “ridiculous,” those contracts have grown even bigger this year.
Peter King of SI.com reports that the Rams gave No. 2 overall pick Chris Long 16 percent more money than last year’s second overall pick, Calvin Johnson, got from the Lions. King writes that Long’s guarantees total around $29 million.
This year’s No. 3 overall pick, Matt Ryan, also got significantly more money than last year’s No. 3 overall pick, Joe Thomas. The Dolphins did get first overall pick Jake Long to sign what passes for a team-friendly contract, guaranteeing him only (only?) $30 million. But that was for a five-year contract, whereas last year’s top pick, JaMarcus Russell, got $32 million guaranteed over six years.
Overall, the trend appears to be toward the very highest picks getting more money than ever. Goodell is joined by a number of veteran players in thinking that the highest-paid rookies are getting too large a slice of the salary pie, but that slice is continuing to grow.
July 21st, 2008 at 11:07 am
The NFL definitely needs to put a stop to this. These rookies and their agents are literally holding guns to the owners’ and GM’s heads and forcing them at gunpoint to sign these outrageous contracts. Maybe the FBI should also get involved to stop these wanton acts of crime.
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July 21st, 2008 at 11:25 am
Look for this to be a HUGE item in this upcoming labor dispute. This could be a show-stopper if the Players Association balks at all. If it were up to me, I would say follow what the NBA does with it’s rookies as far as thier first contract. make it manageable and guarantee ALL moneys in the rookie contract with something I like to call a “HOOK”. after their 3rd year, a DRAFTED player can use his “HOOK” to force the owner to the table. Nothing says the owner has to give a bigger contract, but at least sit down and give a fair evaluation. If the owner/player don’t come to an agreement, then the Rookie can opt out of the remainder of the contract.
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July 21st, 2008 at 11:55 am
2 years from now, when Tebow graduates, he’ll be getting $100m+ with a $50m signing bonus.
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July 21st, 2008 at 11:57 am
Not only are the top rookies getting out of control, but the gap between the top picks and second, third, fourth rounders is getting wider and wider. Considering it’s largely a crap shoot anyway, it’s no wonder you see teams like the Eagles trading out of the first round year after year.
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July 21st, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Nice to be a rookie in the NFL! If you have the talent to go in a top round, you automatically get enough money guaranteed to live the rest of your life in luxury, never wanting for anything or worried about your monetary security (well, as long as you don’t blow it all or land in jail). All this without ever having to worry about producing.
Where is the incentive to play well?
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July 21st, 2008 at 12:27 pm
“literally holding guns to the owners’ and GM’s heads?”
I hate people who say “literally” as if it has no meaning.
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July 21st, 2008 at 1:09 pm
I would love to see an owner draft a player then refuse to sign him to one of these deals. Let him sit on the shelf for a year with no income and see how high he goes the next draft.
F - it. It doesn’t pay to give that much money to an unproven player.
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July 21st, 2008 at 1:34 pm
when you watch a nfl game,check out the corporate seats,
see how many kids are jumping around,are these corporate
clients?nooo.
i think the irs is going to get the idea that these seats
are not really being used for business deductions,but for
personal use.when the irs comes to this conclusion,watch
for how many seats go on the market.
it’s ludicris that the middle class in america is
shouldering the tax burden for a bunch of fat cats.
and who ever gets elected in november will just pass
it all off as business as usual,if you don’t have to,why
upset the people who use the seats,they’re contributors.
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July 21st, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Nobody is holding a “gun to anyone’s head”, moron. It’s what the market is bearing. If the team’s didn’t pay it, where would the draftees get their money from? Who else would pay them besides an an NFL team - the government? You jackasses.
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July 21st, 2008 at 4:25 pm
@ iron_city - AMEN
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July 22nd, 2008 at 11:47 pm
Your market argument is only partially applicable….keep in mind that most sports leagues are anti-trust organizations that share revenue and collude on most major decisions…..so not very market free…..
when i see a couple of guys getting 20 mill in guarantees thats one thing…but the entire top10 now gets that much…
there should scaled pay but the contracts offered can vary…..this way it protects the cap and it also the player who is not locked into a deal taht is below his pay grade for too long…..of course if you choose the lesser years you are gambling that you will be an instant star or starter or veyr good….and if you’re not you don’t have the cushion…perhaps it would light a fire under many a rooks arses knowing that they have to play for the 2nd contract…..if they got drafted outside the top 10….
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