Week 4 NFL Financial Round Up

Michael Ginnitti
Michael Ginnitti, Managing Editor & NFL/MLB ExpertOctober 01, 2018
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No Guarantees in Seattle

Earl Thomas’ apparent season-ending leg injury defines the reasoning behind he, Le’Veon Bell, Julio Jones, Khalil Mack, Aaron Donald threatened or enacted a hold out in search of more guaranteed financial stability. The Seahawks’ safety will see his contract expire next March, and it seems safe to assume that his next deal won’t be in Seattle…The 29-year-old has earned $56M over 9 seasons, and showed he’s still capable of producing, as his 3 INTs in 3 weeks were already more than he reeled in all of 2017. A healthy Thomas will be seeking a deal north of Harrison Smith’s $10.25M AAV

» Top Paid Free Safeties in Football

 

What Should Le'Veon Do?

Thomas' injury should inspire Le'Veon Bell not only to continue down his hold-out path, not only through Week 10, but for the entire 2018 season. What does this mean for Bell financially?

If he signs his current franchise tag by November 13th, he'll be eligible to earn a little less than $7M to finish the season with the Steelers (or whatever team he's been traded to at that point). This also means that if a team were to franchise tag him again in 2019, it would be equal to the QB franchise tag - an unheard of price tag for a running back.

If he DOESN'T sign his tag by November 13th, he's not eligible to play at all in 2018, and the Steelers (or his current team) could then franchise tag him again as if it were a 2nd tag (the price might actually be a bit lower than his current $14.5M tag based on the running back market.

So there in lines the dilemma. If he signs this year, he risks putting his body on the line and facing an Earl Thomas-type career altering injury. But he all but ensures that he will NOT be franchise tagged in 2019. If he doesn't sign, and holds out the entire 2018 season, it's actually possible that the Steelers would slap another tag on him next February, betting that he's not willing to hold out two years, and pushing this whole circus even further down the line.

 

Eifert's Injury Loss

Injuries have decimated Tyler Eifert’s whole career in Cincy, and it appears the 28-year-old will now miss the remainder of 2018 with a broken ankle. The Bengals brought back Eifert on a 1 year deal worth up to $5.5M, however he stands to miss out on $750,000 in per-game-active bonuses from here out, leaving him with $4.75M earned in 2018, before he becomes eligible for free agency again next March.

» 2019 Free Agent Tight Ends

 

Experienced Kickers

Adam Vinatieri became the NFL All-Time leader in field goals this weekend, more than cementing his trip to Canton whenever the now 45-year-old decides to hang up the cleats. His $47.25M in career earnings since 1996 rank 2nd all-time to Sebastian Janikowski ($52.8M) who hit a game-winning field goal of his own yesterday for Seattle

» All-Time Kicker Career Earnings

 

Quarterback Round Up

All four quarterbacks drafted in the first round of this past draft who started Week 4 lost. While Baker Mayfield and Josh Rosen both had their respective teams in the game late, Josh Allen and Sam Darnold posted miserable outings for the Bills & Jets.

Elsewhere, Ryan Fitzpatrick forfeited his starting role to the newly activated Jameis Winston, but the position as a whole remains in much question heading toward 2019. Should Tampa Bay decline Winston’s $21M option next year, they’ll have no quarterbacks under contract for the start of the league year.

Mitchell Trubisky had the breakout game many have been waiting for, throwing for 6 touchdowns in a route of the Buccaneers Sunday. He and Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs) have a chance to follow in the footsteps (if not surpass) the that Jared Goff & Carson Wentz took just a season ago.

While Philip Rivers still looks the part for the Chargers, both Eli Manning & Ben Roethlisberger continue to struggle for their respective Giants & Steelers. Both players have one year remaining on their contracts, and could be release (or retirement) candidates following this season.

» Active Quarterback Contracts


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