If Osweiler Gets $15-20M Per Year, Where Does that Leave Andrew Luck?
Look out Andrew Luck!
One of the bigger stories being speculated ahead of this year’s free agency period is that Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler could command as much as $15-20 million per year as a soon-to-be free agent:
$15-$20 million salary for Brock in 2016?
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) February 18, 2016
“I think he’s worth it.”
- @Nate13Burleson pic.twitter.com/8QGDeZUwvH
With the Denver Broncos top re-signing priority being prolific pass rusher Von Miller, and consequently their likely franchise tag recipient, Osweiler could find himself a new NFL home this offseason.
The 6’8″, 240 pound quarterback showed promise with the Broncos this season, as he led them to a 5-2 record in relief of Peyton Manning, before ultimately handing the starting quarterback badge back over to “The Sheriff”.
Sorry Deputy Osweiler.
Yes, the 4th-year quarterback made his fair share of mistakes, but he completed 170 of 275 throws (61.8%) for 1,967 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, 6 interceptions, and a passer rating of 86.4.
Blessed with a strong arm and still only 25 years old, Osweiler has the physical talent and youth to entice a QB needy team to offer him a lucrative contract in what’s clearly a QB starved league.
However, if he’s set to make $15-20 million year on a new deal, where does that realistically leave Andrew Luck on his next contract?
Keep in mind that the NFL’s current highest paid player in the Green Bay Packers Aaron Rodgers is currently making $22 million annually, while the Seattle Seahawks Russell Wilson just signed a 4-year, $87.6 million deal, which pays him $21.9M annually.
If Osweiler gets close to that $20M threshold as a young, “pretty good quarterback”, where does that leave an “elite” young quarterback like Luck?
It would assuredly place Luck in at least the $25M per year range–likely much, much more, as the total number really could turn out to be a “shocking number” all things considered.
Colts owner Jim Irsay may very well turn out to be the world’s best prognosticator after all with his earlier choice of words.
Perhaps, longtime Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White recently said it best:
I don't see how the colts are going to pay Andrew luck if these guys getting 20 million a year that mean he needs 40
— Roddy White (@roddywhiteTV) February 18, 2016
Luck’s next contract could not only be shocking at its total contract value, but also in the fact, that it could be an unprecedented contract as far as total guaranteed money is concerned.
Right now, the NFL’s highest paid quarterbacks have their contracts in the guaranteed percentage range anywhere from 24% to 78%:
However, Luck has the chance to make league history–not just in the sense of becoming the NFL’s highest paid player ever, but also with an unprecedented amount of his next contract fully guaranteed:
Instead of aiming for a 'shocking number' Andrew Luck should be shooting for a fully guaranteed contract. QBs have that power now.
— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) February 12, 2016