This was a request that came into me that I was able to do rather quickly this morning. Hopefully this will be a way to help spread knowledge of what NFL contracts are all about. Beyond the fold, you can find a non-so-random example of a contract that’s worth sharing multiple times.
Continue reading Want To Share A Player’s Contract From OTC?
Even though Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas signed lucrative long-term contracts just before Wednesday’s deadline for franchise-tagged players to reach multi-year deals this year, the NFL Players Association may still investigate if the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos colluded to set a market for the wide receivers’ contracts, a person with knowledge of the union’s thinking told USA TODAY Sports.
It’s a moot point with direct respect to Thomas and Bryant, who both ultimately agreed to contract terms with the teams in question despite the collusion allegations. But the NFLPA as a whole may just be eager to get some sort of victory against some of the league’s owners.
Former Denver Broncos and current New York Jets WR Brandon Marshall (not to be confused with Broncos LB Brandon M. Marshall) was answering some questions on Twitter late Thursday night. Most interesting was his answer about who was the best quarterback he played with.
No, it’s not the QB he’s been linked with for most of his career.
Probably… Kyle Orton just bad body https://t.co/BntiGmUx3N
— Machine Marshall (@BMarshall) July 17, 2015
“Just bad body.”
Well, yeah, Orton was never gonna make it at Chippendale’s, I’ll grant everyone that.
Chris Harris: Underrated and Elite
If you looked at cornerback play in the abstract, Chris Harris is playing the best of anybody in the NFL right now. He was the league’s best cover guy in 2014, and did it coming off an ACL injury suffered in the playoffs the year before. That’s staggering. He’s among the league’s more versatile corners, and has no real holes in his game.
[…]
We are looking at one of the league’s best cornerbacks – get used to it.
I don’t get worked up over the lack of accolades that Harris gets–I know that the Broncos got a special player regardless. But it’s still nice to see articles like this, and I’d recommend reading the entire article if you want some more confirmation on Harris’s greatness.
Grantland’s Robert Mays has an interesting article about why it’s time to end the franchise tag in the NFL.
As he points out, it was none other than Pat Bowlen who created the idea, done to ensure a team’s top player couldn’t sign with another team that easily (in the Broncos’ case, John Elway). But while it made sense to use the tag on the likes of Demaryius Thomas, Dez Bryant and Justin Houston, it hasn’t always benefited players.
Continue reading Robert Mays: Time To Do Away With Franchise Tag
The Broncos under John Elway have been quite the fun ride so far—beginning with the drafting of Von Miller and adding its latest chapter with the extension of Demaryius Thomas. But how did all of these chapters get put together? What did Elway and the Denver front office have to keep in mind to build the Broncos into their present state?
This is the question I’m hoping to explore further in a new concept I’m bringing to Over The Cap—the idea of texture when it comes to roster decisions, contract signings, and salary cap management. Some of the aspects in this texture may include:
I’ll be looking at that for all 32 teams in due time at OTC, but since I’m more familiar with the Broncos’ roster, I’ll take this project off here for an inaugural flight. Continue reading A Sneak Preview Of Texture – Denver Broncos Edition
So, something happened earlier today, right?
I’m sure every Broncos fan is thrilled that the Broncos and wide receiver Demaryius Thomas agreed to terms on a new contract. Many of us have talked about this previously, that it was likely the Broncos would have to pay him well, but they wouldn’t have to approach Calvin Johnson’s contract to do it. Based on the contract numbers Mike Klis has reported, it’s safe to say the Broncos and Todd France, Thomas’ agent, compromised on a few things.
Continue reading Midweek Musings: Reacting to the Demaryius Thomas Deal
Mike Klis has shared the details about the new contract Demaryius Thomas signed.
The breakdown from Klis’ report:
2015: $22 million. He will receive an $11 million signing bonus, $6.5 million in roster bonus and a $4.5 million salary. All $22 million is fully guaranteed.
2016: $13 million salary, fully guaranteed.
2017: $8.5 million salary, guaranteed against injury. The full salary becomes fully guaranteed early in the league year.
2018: $12.5 million. It includes a $4 million option, plus an $8.5 million salary. None of this money is guaranteed.
2019: $14 million salary, not guaranteed.
I will have more thoughts in my Musings later tonight.
ADDENDUM (Nick): If Klis’s figures are accurate, this is how the contract would look in salary cap terms. Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun also provided more details on July 17.
| Base Salary | Prorated Bonus | Roster Bonus | Cap Number |
Dead Money* (pre-June 1 cut) | Cap Savings* (pre-June 1 cut) | |
| 2015 | $4,500,000 | $2,200,000 | $6,500,000 | $13,200,000 | $35,000,000 | ($21,800,000) |
| 2016 | $13,000,000 | $2,200,000 | $15,200,000 | $21,800,000 | ($6,600,000) | |
| 2017 | $8,500,000* | $3,533,333 | $12,033,333 | $15,100,000 | ($4,400,000) | |
| 2018^ | $8,500,000 | $3,533,333 | $12,033,333 | $7,066,667 | $4,966,667 | |
| 2019^ | $14,000,000 | $3,533,333 | $17,533,333 | $3,533,333 | $14,000,000 |
*2017’s base salary is included in dead money only for that year, as the Broncos would presumably cut Thomas before February 17 if they did so in 2016.
^The Broncos must exercise an option in 2017 to continue these years, and doing so should mandate that a $4 million option bonus be paid to Thomas, prorated from 2017-2019. Declining the option should make Thomas a UFA in 2018 that qualifies for the compensatory pick formula.
(more from Nick beyond the fold)
Adam Schefter, everyone.
Denver and Demaryius Thomas reach agreement on matching 5-year, $70 million deal that includes $43.5M GTD, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 15, 2015
Certainly there will be more to come. Good news that the Broncos and DT got a deal done.
ETA: I will update what I can, but Schefter is the only one thus far saying an agreement has been reached. Troy Renck has reported this:
#Broncos and DT still talking. Good sign as the deadline approaches..
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) July 15, 2015
Of course, Schefter is likely talking to Thomas’ agent, and Renck may be talking to Broncos officials. But all signs indicate Thomas will be staying with the Broncos.
More updates behind the link.
Continue reading And There It Is – Broncos and Demaryius Thomas Agree To Extension
Ian Rapoport has the news:
The #Cowboys and Dez Bryant have an agreement in principle on a 5-year, $70M deal, per sources.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 15, 2015
As of this writing, Demaryius Thomas and the Broncos have about an hour to agree to a deal.
Regardless, the bar is set for Thomas. $14M per year is one thing, but $16M or more per year like Calvin Johnson got isn’t going to happen.
ETA: Rapoport has additional news. Full vs. injury guarantee remains to be seen.
Final Dez Bryant numbers: 5 years, $70M, $45M guaranteed. Simply, wow.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 15, 2015