Free agents end up opting for 1-year ‘prove it’ deals

Terrelle Pryor’s 1,007 receiving yards ranked 22nd in the NFL last season, and his 77 catches were 27th, stats accumulated despite playing with five quarterbacks on a team that went 1-15.

Still just 27, and coming off his first year as a full-time wideout, Pryor appears to be a player on the rise.

So it made sense to think Pryor would cash in as a free agent. Instead, Pryor settled for a one-year contract from the Washington Redskins worth at least $6 million. Not bad in real life; not really all that much in the NFL.

“Maybe ... our market wasn’t where it was supposed to be,” Pryor said, “or we thought it would be.”

He’s not alone. Among other players in their 20s who wound up with oneyear contracts — also known as a “prove it” or “bridge” deal — in free agency this month as part of an apparent trend: WR Alshon Jeffery (Eagles), DT Dontari Poe (Falcons), DT Bennie Logan (Chiefs), OL Luke Joeckel (Seahawks), CB Prince Amukamara (Bears).

“If they don’t think they’re going to get the market that they thought they were going to get at the beginning,” Vikings general manager Rick Spielman said, “I know this is becoming an alternative . ... You come in, you have a great year, and then maybe the following year you’re able cash in on a significant long-term deal.”

At least they have contracts already. As of Friday, there were still a couple of prominent names looking for a team: Colin Kaepernick, Adrian Peterson and Jamaal Charles.

“Some guys don’t want to take deals where they’re outplaying the deal,” Pryor said. “I just wanted to get a oneyear deal and see how I fit with the program and move forward after that, and see if we get something done if everything works well.”