NFL contracts are often structured based on existing examples.
When Tyreek Hill wanted to become the league’s highest-paid wide receiver, he based his value on the contract signed by Davante Adams.
Aaron Rodgers also had an idea on his next deal after seeing the contract extensions of Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen.
But while their salaries are astronomical, they might not get the entire amount for two reasons.
First, only a portion of their deals is guaranteed.
Second, they must meet specific parameters or milestones to earn additional money.
If they don’t reach those values, they won’t take these incentives or bonuses home.
While NFL contracts remain a complicated matter, Deshaun Watson‘s fully-guaranteed deal may set a future trend.
Kirk Cousins once had a fully-guaranteed deal, but it was nowhere close to Watson’s five-year, $230 million deal.
Watson’s contract inspired NFL Players Association president J.C. Tretter to take advantage of this precedent during their contract negotiations.
The NFL Players Association president now making a public push for players and agents to capitalize on the new precedent set by Deshaun Watson’s fully guaranteed contract in Cleveland. https://t.co/8wQZx7At2n
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 12, 2022
Tretter also tweeted, “Did you know guaranteed contracts are not included in the CBA for any sport? But, we can make them the norm across the NFL.”
It’s Time To Push For Guaranteed NFL Contracts
NFL contracts are such to protect the team’s financial investment.
Why would they pay a player who is not contributing?
That’s the case in a league like MLB, where contracts are fully guaranteed.
They are obligated to give the money due to the player, even if he is injured.
But Watson’s deal has opened a norm that the NFL cannot push back.
Football players deserve fully-guaranteed deals because they play the most violent sport.
Likewise, giving them all the money they’ve agreed to may help them reconsider playing for a long time.
That way, they lessen the risk of getting long-term injuries and enjoy the money they’ve made.
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