Are NFL rookie contracts getting out of control or what?? Former Boston College QB Matt Ryan, the first-round pick of the Atlanta Falcons, has signed a 6-year, $72 million contract that makes him one of the highest paid players in the league. $34.75 million of that money is guaranteed, which means it comes in the form of signing bonuses and other measures not related to on-field performance.
That amount of money for a 23-year-old unproven rookie is simply mind-boggling. The NFL should place a cap on rookie contracts and signing bonuses to eliminate these kinds of deals. I mean, come on! Ryan’s deal, Jake Long’s deal, Jamarcus Russell’s deal…. they all came with $30+ million guaranteed. That hardly leaves any room for motivation, now does it? I’m surprised the owners haven’t addressed this stuff at their annual meeting, since they’re the ones that stand to get burned if the players tank.
Good for Ryan, though. He hasn’t even stepped on a pro football field yet, but he’s already financially set for life. And people wonder why college athletes don’t give a damn about academics….