With Cam Newton‘s new deal now finalized, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck could be next in-line for the next superstar quarterback mega-payday. Yesterday, we noted that Newton’s new deal with the Carolina Panthers essentially changes nothing for the Colts successfully working out a new long-term contract with Luck, as he’ll become the highest paid player in the NFL regardless.
However, with Newton’s now reported 5-year, $103 million extension with $60 million guaranteed, we now have a slightly better idea of just how much Luck figures to possibly command on his new contract. It’s been speculated that Luck could make as much as $25 million annually on his new deal, but Newton’s new deal has brought into light just how many guaranteed dollars could be in Luck’s next contract:
Guaranteed money, current QB deals:
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 2, 2015
Ben Roethlisberger-$64M
Colin Kaepernick-$61M
Matt Ryan-$59M
Tom Brady-$57M
>Cam Newton: $60M (reported)
Keep in mind, that while total dollars is the “fancy figurehead” that often gets reported, much of that money isn’t actually guaranteed. It’s the guaranteed dollars in any NFL contract that are imperative because that’s the money a player sees no matter what:
Waiting for one of these QBs to say to a team: "Keep your fake $100 million, give me $85-90 million fully guaranteed." #Cam
— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) June 2, 2015
Based on Newton’s new deal, some league experts have speculated that Luck could now see as much as $75 million guaranteed based on the current trends of the NFL quarterback market, where prices are soaring:
Sticking with my Andrew Luck prediction: 8 years, $200M total, $75M guaranteed
— Scott Kacsmar (@ScottKacsmar) June 2, 2015
@FO_ScottKacsmar That's the $25M i'm anticipating. But it's hard to wrap my head around $200M/$75M GTD. If any owner pays that, it's Irsay
— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) June 2, 2015
However, any way you slice it, Newton’s new deal is encouraging for star young quarterbacks like Luck and the Seattle Seahawks Russell Wilson at the negotiating table, who figure to become the highest paid players in NFL history, sooner rather than later:
When Andrew Luck saw Cam Newton's new contract pic.twitter.com/w4MQlJxNe9
— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) June 2, 2015
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