Okay, maybe, Carr's record deal doesn't change everything. But, it definitely changes a lot. If you hadn't heard yet, Carr just signed a $125 million extension with the Oakland Raiders. The deal is for 5 years. That means Carr, effectively, is making $25 million a year. Of the $125 million, $40 million is guaranteed.
That's a sweet deal for Carr. He's making a bit more than QB Andrew Luck per year. Luck had signed the richest deal in NFL history last season. Is Carr worth it? If you're the soon to be Las Vegas Raiders, he is. The last thing the Raiders want to do is head to Sin City without a franchise QB.
Carr's deal, though, should benefit way more parties than just the Oakland Raiders and Derek Carr. Check out a list of NFL signal-callers who figure to get paid thanks to the hard work of Carr's agent.
Kirk Cousins, Washington
Per Kevin Patra at NFL.com, D-Day for Washington to make a long-term deal with Kirk Cousins is July 17. Doug Williams is Washington's new player personnel man. He reiterated that Washington sees Cousins as the long-term answer at QB.
I'm not sure I agree with that. I know what Williams is saying, but if Cousins really was the guy, why is D.C. waiting so long to get him under contract? I don't get it.
If Washington doesn't stick with Cousins, there doesn't appear to be a Plan B. Neither Nate Sudfeld nor Colt McCoy are the answer. Maybe, Washington wants to see who goes for Cousins after he plays under for $23.94 million franchise tag this season.
Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions
The Lions are going to do whatever it takes to sign Matthew Stafford long-term. I don't doubt that. What I do doubt is Matt wanting to play for the Lions in the future. I mean, he's plenty rich enough to take a pay cut, and play for a contender. Sure, he's still young. But, let's be honest…it's been a tough slog in Detroit.
If the Lions compete in the NFC North this season, I think Stafford stays put. If they don't, I'm not sure the Lions are going to have as easy of a time signing Stafford to a long-term deal as so many believe they will.
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Like Patra wrote in his article, Rodgers would make “eleventy bajillion dollars on the open market”. He's a franchise QB that has at least 4 great seasons left. Green Bay's going to sign him to another long-term deal after 2017. There's no reason not to.
Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
Drew Brees's contract voids after the 2017 NFL Season. Will he take less money to stay in New Orleans? Will the Saints pay him for 2 to 3 more seasons? What happens to Brees's contract could have a lot to do with what happens to Matt Ryan's contract after 2018.
In other words, if the Saints pay Brees, it's going to be difficult for Atlanta not to pay Ryan. I think they must pay Ryan, anyhow. But, things change quickly in the NFL. Who knows? What if Atlanta falls flat this season? Will Arthur Blank want to stick with Matt Ryan?
Okay, back to Brees. I'm a Saints fan. I pretty much don't care what happens from now until the end of time. New Orleans won the Super Bowl in 2010 because of Drew Brees. I'm not greedy. We don't expect championships.
Back to Brees. I'd pay Drew whatever he wants. The Saints are young at every position save for QB. What are they going to do? Waste all that young talent on Chase Daniel, or Luke McCown? They'd better not!
No matter how you cut it, pressure is on. Every team in the NFL must be shaking in their boots about the prospect of losing their quarterback. Forget about a franchise QB like Aaron Rodgers or Drew Brees. Guys that just play week to week without killing your team, the Sam Bradfords and Joe Flaccos are going to make out.
That's just the way it goes in the NFL where the face of the franchise always gets paid.
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