Is Watson’s fully- guaranteed $ 230M deal a one- off or sign of the times?
Four years ago, George Paton was in the Minnesota Vikings’ front office when the franchise, after losing the NFC title game, went all- in and signed quarterback Kirk Cousins to a three- year, $ 84 million contract that was fully guaranteed.
The deal created waves around the NFL, a league where deals in that financial stratosphere always had an out.
The Vikings- Cousins contract isn’t even the standard anymore.
Upon being traded from Houston to Cleveland last month, quarterback Deshaun Watson signed a five- year, $ 230 million contract — fully guaranteed at signing. It was $ 80 million more than the previous record for fully guaranteed money at signing ( Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen).
Watson received the monster contract despite facing 22 active civil suits accusing him of sexual misconduct.
Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti, who has a looming contract negotiation with quarterback Lamar Jackson, wasn’t thrilled by the Watson deal.
“I don’t know that he should’ve been the first guy to get a fully guaranteed contract ( of that amount),” Bisciotti told Baltimorearea reporters. “To me that’s something that is groundbreaking and it’ll make negotiations harder with others.”
During the NFL’S Annual Meeting in Florida last week, I asked Paton about the Watson contract. One- off? Anomaly? Sign of times? A little of everything?
“Kirk was unique,” Paton said. “This is obviously a lot different. I’m not sure where it’s going. I think it’s probably a one- off. It’s pretty unique. I think it’s an outsive lier but it’s tough to say.”
Because they gave up three players and five draft picks for Russell Wilson, the Broncos’ stated intention is to extend Wilson’s contract ( he has two years remaining) at some point. The contracts signed by Watson and Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers this offseason are only driving Wilson’s price up.
Ten new coaches. The total of new coaches in the league reached double digits Wednesday when Bruce Arians retired to the Tampa Bay personnel department and the Buccaneers promoted defensive coordinator Todd Bowles.
Arians, who said his decision was made easier by quarterback Tom Brady’s return, coached Bowles at Temple and hired him as the Cardinals’ defensive coordinator in 2013.
The number of new coaches in the past 10 years? Eight in
2013, seven in 2014- 16, ’ 18 and 2021, six in ’ 17, five in ’ 20 and 10 this year.
Among the 10, five are getting a second opportunity at carrying the big whistle: Bowles, Dennis Allen ( New Orleans), Lovie Smith ( Houston, third headcoaching post), Josh Mcdaniels ( Las Vegas) and Doug Pederson ( Jacksonville).
Defensive play- caller. One of Bowles’ first decisions was retaining the defensive play- calling duties for at least this year. He joins new coaches Smith ( Houston) and Allen ( New Orleans) in handling that role.
Chicago’s Matt Eberflus, previously Indianapolis’ defensive coordinator, will not call the
plays. The Los Angeles Chargers’ Brandon Staley will continue to be his team’s play- caller on defense.
By comparison, as many as 17 head coaches, including Hackett, will call their team’s offensive plays.
Wagner joins Rams. Wilson and linebacker Bobby Wagner were drafted by Seattle in 2012 and played for the Seahawks until they were traded ( Wilson) and cut ( Wagner) last month.
Wagner signed this past week with the Los Angeles Rams. If the league needs another reason to make Broncos at Rams the Thursday night Week 1 lid- lifter, they have one.
Patriots’ mystery. The media asked New England coach Bill Belichick who will call the offenplays this year; the club currently doesn’t list a coordinator.
“Well, we won’t be calling any for a while,” he said. “Don’t have any games.”
OK, then. The expected candidates are Matt Patricia, Joe Judge and possibly tight ends coach Nick Caley. None have called offensive plays at the NFL level.
Footnotes. Broncos tight end/ fullback Andrew Beck, Cleveland running back Demetric Felton Jr. and Indianapolis cornerback Kenny Moore will head to Alaska for an NFL- USO Tour. Over a week, they will visit
Army and Air Force bases and a Space Force station. Beck, who grew up as an Army kid, was the league’s Salute To Service award winner in February. … As of Friday, the Broncos had $ 17,767,914 in available salary- cap space according to the NFLPA. … Caesars Sportsbook released its over- under win totals for each team. The AFC West is Kansas City ( 10K), Broncos/ Chargers ( 10, which would be the first two wild card spots) and Las Vegas ( 8K); the division is the only one with three double- digit win projections. … Former Broncos defensive lineman Deyon Sizer, who played at Eaglecrest High in Aurora and Colorado State, signed with the USFL’S Philadelphia Stars on Friday. … Having Wilson could help the Broncos’ desire to face Jacksonville in London. There are four European games this year ( three in London and one in Germany) and Wilson’s presence could help fuel a sellout of at least 86,000 at Wembley Stadium.
R yan O’halloran: rohalloran@ denverpost. com or @ ryanohalloran