50 Million Reasons Why Guaranteed NFL Contracts Suck
The St. Louis Rams are in a rebuilding process. The team was 1-15 last year, which is sort of hilarious considering the team was a few years removed from the Superbowl and playoff contenders.
However, with a slew of changes on the roster, the team quickly hit the skids and was looking straight at the number one pick in the NFL lottery.
They got it and landed Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford to the tune of $78 million.
Yes, you read that right — $78 million. The kicker is that Bradford has yet to take an official snap in an NFL game and he's being paid more than other, more experienced NFL quarterbacks.
My questions to the Rams, and other NFL teams, is why do you bother with guaranteed contracts with players who haven't proven themselves yet?
Hello Ryan Leaf? Rick Mirer anyone?
Yea, you don't even remember those guys do you? Well, they got some cash and busted. Big time.
Now, I'm not saying that Bradford is heading to the same fate as these other no-show QBs, but talk about a leap of faith for NFL teams to dump that much money into a QB that hasn't proven himself yet.
I'd argue that spending a third of that money on a veteran QB is a better investment. Real-time game play experience is worth more than any Heisman trophy or college accolades any day.
According to ESPN, the No. 1 overall draft agreed to a six-year, $78 million contract with the St. Louis Rams Friday night, with $50 million in guaranteed money. Sources told ESPN that the deal can be worth as much as $86 million.
Despite A.J. Feely being the "starting" QB at the opening of camp, Bradford is right on his heels, towing his $78 million.
Something tells me that he won't be holding a clip board when the season starts.
I could probably guarantee it.
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