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| Andy Reid got Kansas City a quarterback. Now he has to decide what to do with the team's top overall draft pick. Photo credit to CBS Sports. |
Every Monday during the offseason, I will be recapping some
of the biggest stories of the previous week that I did not cover individually. So
let’s get to last week’s news.
QB Contracts
The biggest news out of the offseason’s fourth week was
definitely quarterback contracts. Joe Flacco got a huge deal in Baltimore that
local fans can only hope doesn’t rock the boat. Meanwhile, up north, Tom Brady
reworked his contract to help clear cap space for the Patriots and ensure he will
be in Foxboro through 2017.
I don’t have the full, year-by-year breakdown of Flacco’s
contract, but I can tell you that in at least two of the next six seasons, Joe
Flacco will make more than Tom Brady will in any single year of his five year
contract, with his highest-paying year to come in 2017 when he is scheduled to
make $15 million.
Now, if Baltimore does crash and burn because of Flacco’s
new contract, Ravens fans can rest assured that it won’t happen in the first
year of his contract. He will count for less than $7 million against the cap in
2013. Unfortunately, this means that he will be getting big numbers in the last
three or four years of his contract and that could be crushing.
New England got the better deal as far as I’m concerned.
Yes, Tom Brady’s whole contract is guaranteed money, which is unheard of. But
to have a quarterback of his caliber and never have a year in which he is due
more than $15 million is extremely rare, too.
Alex Smith Trade
Thought Joe Flacco and Tom Brady stole the spotlight,
another huge story is the Alex Smith trade to Kansas City. The 49ers got a 15th
pick for the upcoming draft and a conditional pick in the 2014 draft. Andy Reid
got Kansas City a quarterback for the first time since Trent Green.
Over five and a half seasons with Trent Green as their
starting quarterback, the Chiefs compiled an average 48-40 record, including
three winning seasons and two playoff appearances, of which they have had only
one of each since.
The difference is that in Green’s first couple seasons in
Kansas City, the Chiefs had little talent surrounding him. This year, they had
several Pro Bowlers and way too much talent to be winning only two games. This
ultimately was the reason Romeo Crennel was fired.
With Alex Smith, the Chiefs instantly become a wild-card
contender, especially with a first overall draft pick and options for how to
use it.
Darrelle Revis Trade
Talk Picks Up Steam
About a week ago, reports came out of New York that the Jets
might try to trade cornerback Darrelle Revis, who is coming off an ACL injury.
So far, nothing I have read is anything more than speculation.
Still, it’s an interesting idea that the Jets could possibly
trade away their most recognized current player, especially when nobody knows
just how healthy he is, or even will be in 2013. But then, it is the Jets so
anything is not only possibly, but likely.
Jeff Saturday a Colt
Once More
No, Saturday will not suit up for Indianapolis, at least not
on the field. Just before the Pro Bowl, he announced his intention to retire
after this season, and he will do so. But he will go through the process many
other great NFL players have done by signing a one-day contract and donning the
Colts’ uniform one last time, retiring as a member of the team he spent almost
all of his career with. The date for the official announcement has not yet been
set.
Last week I wrote about the offseason needs of all 16 AFC
teams, on division per day. Tomorrow I will start doing the same for the NFC,
so be sure to check back daily.
If you would like to hear my thoughts on any other offseason
news from the past week, feel free to contact me via my blog’s Facebook page or
my Twitter account, @cpuffnfl.
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