Chapter 550 Business Capability
On March 14, the free transfer market for the 2018 NFL season officially opened, and it undoubtedly became the busiest and most lively day in the entire league.
According to the official statistics of the league, more than 550 transfer transactions took place on this day, and all 32 teams were involved without exception, kicking off the new season with a bang.
Among them, the whereabouts of Smith, the main quarterback of the new Super Bowl champion Kansas Chiefs, attracted attention and sparked heated discussions among many parties.
From a rational and emotional point of view, the Kansas Chiefs did not keep Smith. This was a small shock and shock. This was obviously not expected by the league. In the past half month, Chiefs fans have protested and demanded the Super Bowl. The champion leaves behind the hero who won the championship.
However, then inside information was revealed.
The reason why Smith and the Kansas City Chiefs were unable to reach an agreement was salary. Smith's request was not what the Kansas City Chiefs salary cap could bear. The Chiefs' choice to let go was also a helpless move.
From another perspective, since the Kansas Chiefs selected Mahomes in the first round last season, Smith should have realized that his time at Arrowhead Stadium had entered the countdown, but the Super Bowl was a surprise and he seized the opportunity to leave Kansas City. Fight for a big contract——
This is a truly wise decision.
After various analyzes came out, Kansas City fans gradually became quiet.
A small group of fans spoke ill of Smith, believing that Smith's true face was exposed because of his greed, that he betrayed the chief's appreciation and betrayed the city's trust, that everything was in line with "money", and that he should get out of Kansas City.
But that doesn't help either.
The wood has become a boat.
The point is, which team will Smith join?
Countless eyes all focused on it, triggering a heated discussion.
Reality brings surprises again.
Unexpectedly, on the first day of the free market, the big news and topics were completely blocked by a dark horse, and all eyes were swarming towards Minneapolis.
This time, it's not because of the Super Bowl.
The Minnesota Vikings, who regretfully failed to make it to the National League Finals last season, learned the hard way and launched a series of crazy operations during this offseason. After failing to compete for Smith, the team immediately changed its strategy.
And, on the opening day of free agency, it stole the attention of the entire league.
First, last season's starting quarterback and former No. 1 pick Sam Bradford was traded to the Arizona Cardinals.
Secondly, Case Keenum, who became the talk of the town in the second half of the season after making a sensation as a substitute last season, was traded to the Denver Broncos.
In one breath, not one quarterback, but two quarterbacks were cleared. The Minnesota Vikings transferred all two quarterbacks out like a large-scale clearance at a discount price, clearing the position and clearing the salary cap, leaving vacant positions waiting.
And the goal is——
Cousins.
Finally, the Minnesota Vikings and Washington Redskins completed the deal, causing Cousins to be franchise-tagged for the past two seasons.
At the end of a big move, it was just for Cousins?
Of course, if this is all, the best is the best, it will not cause a sensation in the entire league. Although Cousins continues to be an elite or top quarterback, he has proven that he is the league's first-tier quarterback for two consecutive seasons. It was enough for the Minnesota Vikings to make big moves after experiencing a painful loss in the NFC finals.
The real buzz is the contract.
Cousins signed a three-year, $84 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings. The annual salary of $28 million made Cousins the highest-paid player in the league, easily beating out one of the top quarterbacks. ——
He's never even won back-to-back games in the playoffs.
Everyone knows the quarterback premium is huge, but to this extent?
absurd.
What’s even more ridiculous is yet to come: full protection.
This is the first fully guaranteed contract in NFL history.
The so-called full guarantee means that there are no injury restrictions, no appearance restrictions, no win or performance clauses, nothing, everything is guaranteed.
To explain it in the most exaggerated and extreme way, even after Cousins joined the Minnesota Vikings, he was injured in the training camp and was reimbursed for the season. He did not appear once in the entire season, not even in the preseason, and his salary in the first season was 2,000. Eight million dollars also arrived.
This is full protection.
Annual salary figures aside, the core of the calculations that players and teams have been arguing about is the fully guaranteed part. Teams cannot give in easily, because once they give in, under the constraints of the hard salary cap, it will be equivalent to cutting themselves off. of retreat. And what needs to be noted here is that a single move affects the whole body.
Once the first fully guaranteed contract appears, other players may follow suit, and the team will inevitably face tremendous pressure; therefore, there is a tacit understanding between team owners that does not require words, and it is basically impossible to fully guarantee a contract.
Even key players like Manning, Brady, Rodgers, and Brees need to be reconsidered.
then.
It was not until now that the first fully guaranteed contract in league history appeared.
But it’s Cousins?
Is the Minnesota Vikings front office out of their minds?
Washington Redskins: I told you so.
In the past, there were rumors from the Washington Redskins that Cousins' ability at the negotiating table far exceeded his ability on the field, but there was still skepticism within the league; now it seems that the Washington Redskins are not lying.
At this time, the entire alliance was shocked.
First, set a new record for the highest salary.
Secondly, it is fully guaranteed.
Not only the players, but also the entire team was alarmed.
Up and down, almost everyone's brains stirred up a storm——
The first to bear the brunt is Le’Veon Bell.
The Pittsburgh Steelers star running back has spent the past two seasons trying his best to get a big contract, and he believes his performance deserves the recognition.
Moreover, now that the Pittsburgh Steelers are no longer a traditional defensive team, they often need to learn to use offense to win, and Bell's value has also increased.
However, in the third year of Bell's rookie contract, the Pittsburgh Steelers rejected his request to renew, which already made Bell slightly criticized.
Despite this, Bell still completed his third and fourth years as a rookie conscientiously and became the league's number one running back; but what did Bell get?
An exclusive privilege tag.
Once again, Bell performed as one of the top three running backs in the league in the 2017 season and proved himself for three consecutive years. Then in the offseason, Bell hoped that he could get corresponding rewards, but the Pittsburgh Steelers kept struggling. Especially regarding the security deposit, the two parties have never reached a consensus.
Now, seeing the experience of Cousins, who was also labeled as a franchise player for two consecutive seasons, and who still proved his ability in the past season, Bell's mind suddenly became active.
Bell immediately called his agent, but he only got an explanation, some evasion, and some advice to be patient.
Jesus Christ, He has been patient for two years, how can he continue to be patient?
"Cousins?"
"Cousins!"
"Hell, Cousins can get full guarantees. What level is he and what level am I? I can't even get a contract with an annual salary of 20 million US dollars?"
"Don't tell me a running back is different than a quarterback."
"don't want!"
"If you can't do that, I can contact Cousins' agent. I believe he shouldn't mind trying to get a history-making contract for the league's No. 1 running back in the past four seasons and win more honors for him. ”
"Grass!"
"Go away."
"Grass!"
After some crazy output, Bell slammed the phone to the ground.
(End of chapter)