Washington’s NFL team changing its name, logo
A look at 10 superstars poised to land huge extensions, some perhaps by Wednesday.
Seven years after its owner said he would “never” change its name, Washington’s NFL team announced Monday that it will drop the name and logo that many Native Americans and others find offensive. USA TODAY columnist Nancy Armour says owner Daniel Snyder wasn’t moved by compassion to make the change but rather by what was at stake financially.
Leave it to Patrick Mahomes to end a stagnant spring and summer for contract negotiations in the NFL.
Until July 6, only three veterans – Texans left tackle Laremy Tunsil, Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey and Patriots safety Patrick Chung – had signed extensions since April, with the potential for canceled games or no fans in the stands amid the coronavirus pandemic creating uncertainty and threatening to sharply reduce next year’s salary cap. The landscape of the league, however, saw a tectonic shift when news broke that Mahomes had agreed to a record-setting 10-year extension. The Super Bowl LIV MVP can earn up to $503 million in the next 12 years in which he is tied to the Chiefs, though the terms of the deal suggest that a restructuring is likely at some point.
The contract is just the latest resume-building accomplishment for Mahomes, who in February became the youngest player to win a Super Bowl and a league MVP when he ended the Chiefs’ 50-year title drought. Through the previous few offseasons, several top quarterbacks narrowly bested one another for the title of the league’s top-paid player. That trend looks to be over in the aftermath of Mahomes’ new payout, which stands $10 million a year ahead of Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson’s previous high for average annual salary ($35 million).
Still, several stars throughout the league are in line for a hefty payday at some point in the coming year. Here are 10 standouts who could be next in line:
Deshaun Watson, QB, Texans
From being selected two spots after Mahomes in the 2017 draft to ending up on the wrong side of the Chiefs’ historic 24-point comeback in the AFC divisional round in January, Watson has played runner-up to his friendly rival in a couple of notable spots early in his career. Although the Houston gunslinger seems destined to finish behind Mahomes again on the contract front, he surely is poised to win in his own way. While the Texans have made a handful of puzzling personnel moves with Bill O’Brien at the helm, nearly all of them point toward a hefty upcoming investment in Watson, upon whom the offense is becoming increasingly reliant. Regardless of whether he scores the three-year extension he’s seeking, according to Pro Football Talk, or a longer pact, Watson has plenty of reason to smile after seeing the money doled out to Mahomes.
Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys
What about the other signal-caller whose negotiations many expected to shape the offseason? Prescott has signed his franchise tender, and his stalemate with the Cowboys might continue for some time if he and the organization don’t agree to terms before Wednesday’s deadline for multiyear contracts. Set to earn $31.4 million this year if he plays on the franchise tag, Prescott is in a strong position if talks have to resume in 2021, when he would be due $37.68 million if issued a second consecutive tag.
George Kittle, TE, 49ers
The tight end market has long been depressed, as Austin Hooper this March became the only player at the position to earn more than $10 million a year on a multiyear contract when he signed a four-year, $42 million pact with the Browns. Kittle, who has the most receiving yards by any tight end in his first three years (2,945), no doubt will set himself apart whenever he signs.
Jalen Ramsey, CB, Rams
Los Angeles traffic isn’t the only thing likely to deter Ramsey from arriving to training camp in an armored truck again. One year after making a flashy entrance to Jaguars camp, Ramsey has yet to receive a long-term extension from the team that acquired him in October. Rams coach Sean McVay acknowledged Ramsey was capable of resetting the cornerback market, currently led by the Eagles’ Darius Slay (three years, $50 million).
Joey Bosa, DE, Chargers
As the Bolts start a new chapter in SoFi Stadium having split with former mainstay quarterback Philip Rivers, they can look to the other side of the ball for the next franchise fixture. Bosa has 40 sacks in 51 games, with a foot injury in 2018 proving to be one of the few things capable of slowing him. The No. 3 pick in the 2016 draft who turned 25 Saturday has the makings of a defensive cornerstone for years to come.
Ronnie Stanley, OT, Ravens
Baltimore is a year out from the window for Lamar Jackson extension talks opening, but several key players from last year’s 14-2 team merit large pay bumps before then. Among them is Stanley, the All-Pro left tackle who helped the Ravens break the NFL’s season team rushing record. Entering his fifth-year option, the blindside protector said he’s in “no rush” to reach terms.
Chris Jones, DT, Chiefs
Franchise-tagged Jones has left no doubt about his intentions, writing on Twitter Wednesday that he “won’t play” without a long-term agreement. Even before Mahomes’ extension, the Pro Bowl defensive tackle’s place in Kansas City was difficult to discern given the franchise’s other commitments. Jones would make $16.1 million playing on the tag this year, but he likely would need to be traded elsewhere if he is to join the exclusive group of interior defenders earning more than $20 million a year.
Myles Garrett, DE, Browns
Even after Garrett was suspended for the remainder of the season for swinging a helmet at Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph in a Week 11 melee, the Browns’ new regime is standing up for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 draft. GM Andrew Berry said in May that he sees the defensive end as “a long-term member and pillar” of the franchise. Reinstated in February, Garrett now can return to a promising track in which he logged 23 1⁄2 sacks in his last 26 games. At only 24, Garrett is a good bet to join Clark and the Cowboys’ DeMarcus Lawrence among pass rushers who net more than $20 million a year.
Jamal Adams, S, Jets
Amid an unfruitful pursuit of a longterm contract, Adams has informed the organization he wants to be traded, per multiple reports. The Jets, who have the All-Pro in the fold through the 2021 season, haven’t displayed the same sense of urgency. Adams should easily top his position whenever he does land a deal.
Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints
Kamara is entering the final year of his rookie deal. The three-time Pro Bowler amassed 1,330 all-purpose yards last season despite playing at what he said was “75%” after missing two games with injuries. Kamara’s contract terms could be difficult to pin down given the lagging market for running backs.