July 31, 2010

Sam Bradford Signs NFL's Richest Contract: Quarterback Sam Bradford, the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft, has agreed to a six-year, $78 million contract with the St. Louis Rams that includes $50 million in guaranteed money -- the largest contract in NFL history, according to UPI.

posted by rcade to football at 01:03 PM - 13 comments

This is one aspect of the upcoming CBA negotiations where I'll be cheering for the owners. No way a guy who hasn't played yet is worth the richest contract in NFL history. I wish Bradford luck living up to this deal.

posted by TheQatarian at 01:55 PM on July 31, 2010

Agreed. The NFL is sorely in need of a rookie pay scale, Bradford is not worth nearly that amount of money.

Unfortunately this probably means that the Lions will have to grossly overpay Suh.

posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 03:46 PM on July 31, 2010

With regards to what will happen on the field, I feel bad for Bradford. No way possible, really, that he can do enough to earn that money. First picks in the draft, as well as the entire first round, is absolutely ridiculous. A team is in a bad position when they have the first pick of the draft, knowing the only way they'll ever get him into camp is to offer him too much money, and this crap with the other first-rounders having to wait until the first pick is signed and the market is set is creating a mess.

posted by dyams at 03:56 PM on July 31, 2010

If I'm Bradford, I hire a guy to Kerrigan me immediately. On my bad knee. Really freakin' hard.

posted by The_Black_Hand at 12:53 AM on August 01, 2010

Took me a second to figure out you didn't mean Joe Kerrigan.

posted by yerfatma at 10:30 AM on August 01, 2010

I was really confused until I figured out he meant Nancy, not Sarah.

posted by apoch at 12:56 PM on August 01, 2010

Meatheads.

posted by The_Black_Hand at 01:01 PM on August 01, 2010

I hate unproven rookies getting the richest NFL contracts. I don't understand why the NFL Player's Association, which is made up of active players past their first rookie contract, doesn't look out for themselves and agree to a rookie salary scale. Every dollar that goes to a rook isn't going to a veteran.

posted by rcade at 01:22 PM on August 01, 2010

what rcade just said.

I have no idea how the NFLPA allows this to happen. This will be an albatross around Bradford's neck for his entire career.

posted by dviking at 01:40 PM on August 01, 2010

Unless he's mind-blowingly awesome. I mean, that is technically still a possibility.

But yeah, I don't get it either. Everything about the NFL's salary/contract system is stupid.

posted by fabulon7 at 02:41 PM on August 01, 2010

I don't understand why the NFL Player's Association, which is made up of active players past their first rookie contract, doesn't look out for themselves and agree to a rookie salary scale. Every dollar that goes to a rook isn't going to a veteran.

The thinking among the players is that with a scale the owners will save money on the rookie salaries, and instead of passing it out to the veterans, will put it into their pockets. I would bet on a rookie scale being imposed, but only if the owners agree to a minimum spending floor in addition to the regular salary cap. It's certainly within the realm of possibility.

posted by Howard_T at 05:32 PM on August 01, 2010

There is a minimum salary in the NFL. I think it is another example of an ineffective union.

posted by bperk at 12:02 PM on August 02, 2010

Forget the contract, I still can't believe the Rams took Bradford at the top.

posted by billsaysthis at 12:22 PM on August 02, 2010

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