...Is Russell Wilson on his way out of Seattle?

[PatsFanInVa]

You are right Ken even if some of the fans dont want to hear it because they love this romantic story of how amazingly selfless Brady is even when it comes to contracts.

In reality Brady was clever enough to realize how BB deals with players that keep negotiating for market setting deals even as they get older. He conceded some -- ultimately irrelevant (what are 20m over his career for someone who made as much as Brady) -- money to make sure that he would always end up on the right end of the BB value equation so he could continue doing what he loves in an environment that gave him the best shot at competing every year.

Acknowledging this puzzle piece doesnt mean he is less of a leader or competitor. It just shows that a chance at rings was at a higher priority than a few dozen millions over the length of his career.

I can see both sides.

Mostly, when the "selfish" players get all the press attention for insisting on the best possible deal they can possibly get, the justifying narrative tends to be that this is how they are treated, "it's a business," blah blah blah, and we always get reminded that yes, he's a multi-millionaire (generally an available state of affairs even for 3rd string O-linemen, if they have any longevity), but the club owner is a billionaire.

So we get in our heads that everybody wrings every dollar out of every deal.... and we get in our heads that if they outperform, every athlete announces they will sit for months at the beginning of the season if the deal isn't re-negotiated... "just the nature of the beast."

Up-front money, & 2 negotiating parties that will stick to the deal, has been gold in this situation. But you have to admit, it means that both sides always take a "leap of faith." Credit Brady, but credit Pats management too. In retrospect... it's turned out great to have Jimmy G out of the building. Brady thrives on competition, but more than most he is one who accepts that mgt. and labor have to "collaborate" in his/the Pats situation, because they're aligned on the goal of winning. It's an interesting (possible) downside of position competition in a special situation... what does it do to the stability of the ongoing "deal" b/w Brady and Patriots management?

But that sidetrack aside, I cant believe how good the Brady situation has been for the league. Think about the implied message: the "me-me-me, I value my self-worth by my contract" tendency might be much more prevalent without a high profile guy saying, "how about if my GDP would only place 40th among the nations of the world... but we get a chance to win a Super Bowl?"

So yeah, it is good that Brady's able to do this... "Just get the business end over with, the winning stuff is hard enough to do without business in the way."

I think it's worth a little appreciation from us fans but maybe not the over-the-moon drooling.

Does anybody think Brady couldn't say "let's renegotiate" after the last SB he won? Does anybody think he gets to do that EVERY time he does something like win a SB?

So yeah he's just honoring front-loaded deals. He stops doing that, he stops getting front-loaded deals. The trust shatters, he's just another shlub you have to play hardball with.

But I think we can be a little happy that Kraft/Beli/Brady are in alignment.

 

[tasmlab]

I think it was in 2016 I read where no QB got more money IN HIS POCKET over the past 5 years (I think it was 2o11 or 12 that Brady got a large extension) and that would continue until 2017 when Rodgers would pass him. I remembered it because it wasn't the first time or only time I saw it. I'd love to go back and find it...if I knew how.

Does 'In his pocket' also include non-contract earnings? Like from endorsements, books, TB12 merch, his health business, etc.? The only thing that would stop him from being the highest paid NFL player would be him turning down endorsements he doesn't care for.

And, Is this website accurate? Sportrac. It's formatted nicely. Anyways, the year-to-year shows Brady never getting near $20MM/year, but is it missing data?:

Tom Brady

 

[50-yard-line]

So you just straw-manned every other QB in the league and now want me to answer your question?

I didn't straw man anything - I gave you the stats on Wilson and my honest opinion on some of the guys YOU might throw out there as better than Wilson.

You don't want to answer, don't answer.

 

[mgteich]

We'll all see. Maybe Brady will again sign a contract lower than the top rung, and then have folks all discuss how he make up for it is endorsements. Perhaps Brady should sign for $10M a year, and still be the #1 paid.

Wilson signed for a $35M AAV extension ($106M guaranteed). Rodgers signed an extension for over $33M a year. As I recall, Cousins signed for $28M a year all guaranteed. Brees signed a discounted deal for only $25M a year.

We can HOPE for a Brees type deal.

 

[Biffins]

Now Dak Prescott is saying he's ready for $35m+ god help me.

After Russell Wilson Contract, How Many Millions Will Dak Prescott Get From Cowboys?

This is getting me worried about Brady's extension. Jeez.

 

[SBLIII]

Now Dak Prescott is saying he's ready for $35m+ god help me.

After Russell Wilson Contract, How Many Millions Will Dak Prescott Get From Cowboys?

This is getting me worried about Brady's extension. Jeez.

I'll be happy if Brady signs for 25 AAV with a 20M caphit for 2019.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Russell Wilson irritates me. That’s all.

 

[sean10mm]

Russell Wilson irritates me. That’s all.

He's an incredibly insincere person.

 

[Ras-IR Dowling]

I think we’re looking at this all wrong. I can care less what Dallas pays Dak, but this Wilson deal just set the floor for mahomes. His price tag may start at 40 mil per. Now this I do care about.

Plus by this time we should have a youngster playing on his rookie deal.

 

[BelichicksHoodie]

I think we’re looking at this all wrong. I can care less what Dallas pays Dak, but this Wilson deal just set the floor for mahomes. His price tag may start at 40 mil per. Now this I do care about.

Plus by this time we should have a youngster playing on his rookie deal.

40 million on a single player would be nuts. If a team goes any higher than that they better pray they never miss on a draft pick again because at that point 33% of your cap will be your QB and your next best player. And then you'll still have 51 more positions to fill.

 

[TinhWoodhead]

It’s Russell Wilson Country!

 

[Vindicate]

Even if Brady were selfish as all hell (which... I don't think he is, really don't know his intentions though), he's still making the most lucrative choice.

Unlike these other QBs, Brady is willing to invest a couple million of his own contract back into the team through team friendly deals. In turn, he's maximizing his chances of winning, and winning the most at that. He's one of the most high profile athletes of all tkme (internationally as well? Not sure. I know football is an American sport).

All this to say, it's also investing in a brand. It's creating money streams for life. Long term, itsi prolly a better idea.

 

[Tony2046]

One of the sad but seldom considered things about the folks that are on the extremes (left or right) is they are often incapable of understanding most reasonable and considered folks are found closer to the middle. I applaud your willingness to engage even while I doubt it will be fully understood.

I'm guessing that you're one of those extreme moderates.

 

[maust]

I'm guessing that you're one of those extreme moderates.

GD straight I am and if you don't freakin like it...
(I'd be interested to hear your point of view )

 

[mgteich]

Sure, Brady should play for $5M a year. It would be good for his brand, and chances of winning. NOT.

Even if Brady were selfish as all hell (which... I don't think he is, really don't know his intentions though), he's still making the most lucrative choice.

Unlike these other QBs, Brady is willing to invest a couple million of his own contract back into the team through team friendly deals. In turn, he's maximizing his chances of winning, and winning the most at that. He's one of the most high profile athletes of all tkme (internationally as well? Not sure. I know football is an American sport).

All this to say, it's also investing in a brand. It's creating money streams for life. Long term, itsi prolly a better idea.

 

[Vindicate]

Sure, Brady should play for $5M a year. It would be good for his brand, and chances of winning. NOT.

Gotta be honest, I have no clue what you're going for here. No one claimed he should take 5 million. But he does shave a couple millions off of his contract (where he could command more) that gives the Patriots a huge advantage, as we have the undisputed best QB on a friendly contract. This has maximized his chances of winning. This helps his legacy. This builds a brand.

Really not a whole lot to argue with there.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

I heard a lot of Wilson’s teammates are bitter at him since he his salary is such a large portion of their cap...and that was before the recent contract extension.