NFL Teams are Too Confident in Big Money Quarterback’s

NFL teams seem to be so confident in their big money quarterbacks. Imagine getting paid 50 million dollars a year to come up short consistently in the playoffs. Even less than that 30 million a year is ridiculous. Names such as Aaron Rogers, Patrick Mahomes, and even Deshaun Watson who is fresh off not playing for a year due to sexual harrasment charges. Watson now has a five year two hundred 30 million dollar contract with the Cleveland Browns. They even traded 3 first round picks for him. NFL teams seem to have supreme confidence in big name quarterbacks who may not even have a superbowl ring. Six out of the 10 highest paid quarterbacks in the league don’t even have a superbowl ring or appearance on their resume. Team’s have too much confidence in their big money quarterbacks. 

In an article written by Kevin Patra, about Aaron Rodgers newly signed 150 million dollar contract, The Green Bay Packers general manager claims, “We are very pleased to be able to come to an agreement with Aaron that keeps him in Green Bay.” His play on the field and leadership in our locker room remain vital in our pursuit of another Super Bowl title. The agreement also allows us to maintain and enhance what we feel is already a very competitive roster.” Interesting knowing that Rogers has been 1-5 in NFC championship games, and has one superbowl title. Because of this contract, star wide receiver Devante Adams wanted out and got traded to the Los Vegas Raiders. Adams, an 8 year Packer, seemed inseparable from the team. Arguably the best wide receiver in the game, he has put up over 1,300 yards in back to back seasons, with 18 touchdowns in 2020, the highest of his career. Adams wanted more money than the Packers were offering, and ended up trading him. 

Rodgers may have even put too much pressure on the Packers to sign him. An ESPN article written by Demovsky, he states, “Rodgers called his future a ‘beautiful mystery’ late in the 2020 season and shortly after the Packers’ NFC Championship Game loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers included himself in a group of players with uncertain futures. What followed was an offseason-long boycott — he missed workouts, organized team activities and minicamp.” ESPN even reports he told the Packers, “he would never play for them again.” So you go from this is my last year with this team to, oh sure I’ll take 50 million dollars a year. Something is very off there. Rodgers could have very well pressured the Packers into overpaying so he would stay. 

Moving on to the half a billion dollar man, Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes came into the league on fire. In his sophomore season he posted over 5,000 passing yards, 50 touchdowns and an MVP award. Pretty damn good. The Kansas City Chiefs proceeded to win the superbowl the next year on his measly rookie deal. The Chiefs then proceeded to offer the quarterback a 10 year 500 million dollar contract. Hard to blame the Chiefs for locking him up, but 50 million dollars a year? Ridiculous. In another article written by ESPN, the Chiefs general manager, Clark Hunt, is quoted saying, “With his dynamic play and infectious personality, he is one of the most recognized and beloved figures to put on the Chiefs uniform. He’s an extraordinary leader and a credit to the Kansas City community, and I’m delighted that he will be a member of the Chiefs for many years to come.” Nothing too bold here, however the Chiefs are already starting to see the effects of quarterback’s contract. Almost a pattern with Rodgers signing, losing his star wide receiver, Mahomes lost his. Tyreke Hill, perhaps the fastest player in the league, and stud wide receiver has put up over 1,000 yards in his four of six years with the Chiefs. A former fifth round pick, proved himself on the field, and wanted his share of big money. Unable to cooperate with Hill’s needs, Kansas City was forced to trade the star wide out to the Miami Dolphins. He now makes 30 million dollars a year as a receiver. A big part of the championship run, the wide receiver will never suit up for the Chiefs again. 

Finally, Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns quarterback. Watson was formerly the quarterback for the Houston Texans. He didn’t play the whole 2021 season due to sexual harassment charges. He was recently cleared of those charges, and it was all in for NFL teams to try and trade for him. Watson, who was unhappy with the Texans organization, vowed to never play for them again. Cleveland traded three first-round picks, a third-round pick and a fifth-round pick. Cole Thompson from “Si.com,” writes, “Watson is set to waive his no-trade clause and will receive a new five-year, $230 million contract, $80 million more than the original deal agreed to in Houston.” So a player fresh off 22 civil charges is now making 80 more million dollars than his previous contract, a big risk and it makes him the second highest paid quarterback in the league behind Aaron Rodgers at number one. 

In another “Si.com,” article, Browns owners, Jimmy Haslem and Dee Haslem were quoted saying, “We spent a tremendous amount of time exploring and investigating the opportunity to trade for Deshaun Watson. We are acutely aware and empathetic to the highly personal sentiments expressed about this decision. In our conversations, Deshaun detailed his commitment to leading our team; he understands and embraces the hard work needed to build his name both in the community and on the field.” The Browns for some reason have so much trust in this quarterback. So much that they made him the second highest quarterback in the league, accounting for 230 million dollars, all of that guaranteed! Watson could also still face a suspension from the league, so he is not fully off the hook. However, the Browns have no way of getting out of this if this backfires, all 230 million dollars is guaranteed, meaning they have to pay him and have no way of getting out of it. Cleveland also recently signed their cornerback, Denzel Ward, to a 5 year 100 million dollar contract. I’m not sure where Cleveland thinks their roster is going to go in the next few years giving two players 70 million dollars a year. 

References

Chavkin, Daniel. “Browns Release Statement after Deshaun Watson Acquisition.” Sports Illustrated, Sports Illustrated, 20 Mar. 2022, https://www.si.com/nfl/2022/03/20/deshaun-watson-browns-jimmy-dee-haslam-andrew-berry-kevin-stefanski-statements. 

“Chiefs Lock up Patrick Mahomes through 2031 with Massive Extension.” ESPN, ESPN Internet Ventures, 6 July 2020, https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29418825/sources-chiefs-patrick-mahomes-agree-10-year-extension. 

Demovsky, Rob. “Aaron Rodgers’ Extension with Green Bay Packers Includes $150 Million over First Three Years.” ESPN, ESPN Internet Ventures, 15 Mar. 2022, https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/33508952/aaron-rodgers-new-deal-green-bay-packers-includes-150m-first-three-years. 

Patra, Kevin. “Aaron Rodgers Officially Signs Contract Extension; Packers QB to Earn $150.8m over next Three Years.” NFL.com, NFL, 15 Mar. 2022, https://www.nfl.com/news/aaron-rodgers-officially-signs-contract-extension-packers-qb-150-million.