Aaron Rodgers contract is a steal

[packers11]

Hearing the radio today ( in New England ) they are talking about how both Tom Brady and Payton Manning are getting new contracts...

Early reports are that Manning will be the highest paid QB ever at 20 mill a year and Brady will get a little less than that... Brees is also getting a new contract this offseason which will probably be right below Mannings contract (high teens)

Other QB's : (numbers are from rotoworld.com)

Eli Manning: seven-year, $106.9 million contract.
Phillip Rivers : seven-year, $98.25 million contract.
Tony Romo : six-year, $67.4 million
Carson Palmer : six-year, $118.75 million
Big Ben : eight-year, $102 million
JaMarcus Russell: six-year, $61 million contract. (had to put it on here)



A-Rodg : six-year, $65 million contract.


The packers have arguably a top 5 QB under contract at such a cheap price for the next 5 years, looking back at the contract extension they gave him in 2008, it looks like a complete steal!

But I can rest assure you, his next contract will be huge... Hopefully it won't break the bank like Mannings...

[MadScientist]

Well $11M per is hardly peanuts, but it is a good deal for the Packers.

Palmer looks overpaid and Russell is ridiculous. I expect there is some back loading on the contracts that could wind up being cut.

The others seem more or less in line with AR's contract, when factoring in experience and achievements.

[denverYooper]

Hard to argue with Peyton being the highest paid QB. The guy is unbelievable.

I hope A-rod keeps studying hard and working on his game like he has been. He has the tools to get to that level.

[Brando19]

Just heard Brees will be getting a new contract as well. ESPN said Brees and Manning will have a similar contract...4 year extension worth roughly 72 million (18 million a year.)

[ICU81MI]

I wouldn't say it's a steal but it certainly looks like a good contract.

I think these contract numbers for Manning and future QB extensions are being blown out of proportion. Just today the Raven's owner conducted an interview where he said that there are several teams just barely staying in the black in the NFL. All signs, right now at least, point to player salaries going down or at least staying where they are for a little while.

I think the forth-coming uncapped year has as much to do with the recession as anything. If I had to guess, I'd think a nice chunk of the money invested by these wealthy owners was wiped out through real estate prices dropping, stocks dropping, etc. Having guys entering their second contracts playing under restricted free agent tenders is going to save a lot of money.

The highest two tenders for 2010 are:

High tender – right of first refusal & 1st round pick – $2.198 million

Highest tender – right of first refusal & 1st and 3rd round picks – $2.792 million

per http://blogs.buffalobills.com/2009/0...ender-amounts/

Think about the amount of money the Packers are saving with Collins and Jolly alone. Collins is a 6-7 mil a year guy I would have to think and I would think Jolly is at least 5 mil a year. That's a significant savings right there for two players. It could be a HUGE savings when looking at team's with lots of restricted free agents.

[Guiness]

Eli's contract seems ridiculous!

[Lurker64]

Eli's contract seems ridiculous!

It seemed really ridiculous when he signed it, but I think it pretty much establishes the going rate for a "franchise QB" going forward. In that light, we got a bargain with Aaron. Perhaps not a "steal" strictly speaking, but it's a very valuable contract for the organization.

[MJZiggy]

Who needs $18 million a year??? Couldn't they donate some of that to cure cancer or something? I've got a friend at Georgetown who could really use some cash for his research into neurobiology and aging.

[Brando19]

Who needs $18 million a year??? Couldn't they donate some of that to cure cancer or something? I've got a friend at Georgetown who could really use some cash for his research into neurobiology and aging.

Agreed. Absolutely ridiculous. Atheletes' salaries are out of control.

[The Leaper]

Who needs $18 million a year???

Who is getting $18M a year? After taxes, agents, insurance, etc., $18M turns into about $8-$10M.

And players earn it. Do you just want Jerry Jones to pocket ALL the money?

[pbmax]

I think these contract numbers for Manning and future QB extensions are being blown out of proportion.

Future QBs outside of Manning, perhaps. But he is going to get close to $20 per. There is more on this than just random ESPN Super Bowl speculation.

Just today the Raven's owner conducted an interview where he said that there are several teams just barely staying in the black in the NFL.

Given that the NFL will not open its books to the Union (within their rights, certainly), its hard to judge that statement. There are multiple ways to claim a loss when you are actually gaining value. And none of the NFL teams are worth less now than in 2006, when the last CBA was negotiated.

However, between interest rates going up, investments (like the Packers Rainy Year fund) and teams assuming a greater percentage of stadium construction costs compared to previous eras, their cost structure probably has changed for the worst.

[Brando19]

Who needs $18 million a year???

Who is getting $18M a year? After taxes, agents, insurance, etc., $18M turns into about $8-$10M.

And players earn it. Do you just want Jerry Jones to pocket ALL the money?

$8-$10 million? Poor babies. How in the hell are they going to survive...especially in this economy? Players EARN it? Listen...I'm as big a fan as any....but I wouldn't say they earn millions. Police, firefighters, coal miners, teachers, doctors....they earn it...but don't get it. These are fuckin athletes PLAYING a sport.

[MJZiggy]

Who needs $18 million a year???

Who is getting $18M a year? After taxes, agents, insurance, etc., $18M turns into about $8-$10M.

And players earn it. Do you just want Jerry Jones to pocket ALL the money?

They could do something crazy like make tickets and concessions affordable...!!

[Willard]

Who needs $18 million a year???

Who is getting $18M a year? After taxes, agents, insurance, etc., $18M turns into about $8-$10M.

And players earn it. Do you just want Jerry Jones to pocket ALL the money?

$8-$10 million? Poor babies. How in the hell are they going to survive...especially in this economy? Players EARN it? Listen...I'm as big a fan as any....but I wouldn't say they earn millions. Police, firefighters, coal miners, teachers, doctors....they earn it...but don't get it. These are fuckin athletes PLAYING a sport.

This is chump change. Brains (and balls) over brawn anyday. Check this crap out: http://www.theweek.com/article/index...or_Goldman_CEO

[ICU81MI]

I think these contract numbers for Manning and future QB extensions are being blown out of proportion.

Future QBs outside of Manning, perhaps. But he is going to get close to $20 per. There is more on this than just random ESPN Super Bowl speculation.

Just today the Raven's owner conducted an interview where he said that there are several teams just barely staying in the black in the NFL.

Given that the NFL will not open its books to the Union (within their rights, certainly), its hard to judge that statement. There are multiple ways to claim a loss when you are actually gaining value. And none of the NFL teams are worth less now than in 2006, when the last CBA was negotiated.

However, between interest rates going up, investments (like the Packers Rainy Year fund) and teams assuming a greater percentage of stadium construction costs compared to previous eras, their cost structure probably has changed for the worst.

Admittedly, I don't know anything about the situation beyond what I've been reading on the big sites, but articles like this point to cutting the minimum salary basically in half.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Ak7Q2UBZmfW7uesS7vU7gY85nYcB?slug=ap-superbowl-nflpa&prov=ap&type=lgns

I don't think they're going to do that as it's a risky sport and the union has to represent and protect even the lowest paid players from injury risks, etc. I suspect the guys getting the salaries lowered are going to be the high end players.

I agree that Peyton is going to break the bank. He deserves it. Without him, Indy would probably be one of those franchises in trouble.

Right now my biggest fear is the revenue sharing. This absolutely needs to be continued at the level it's at now in order to promote competition and keep things interesting. The NFL is great the way it is. Here's to hoping it doesn't change too much!