Last year Beckham's contract status was a big question mark. As one of the games most polarizing and popular stars, there was a fair question whether the Giants should invest the kind of money that Beckham was looking for. However things changed once Beckham went down for the season with a fractured ankle, as the Giants watched the offense sputter out of control without their star receiver in the lineup.
To his credit, Beckham has kept a low profile about his contract status in training camp. He reported without any indication that he would hold out, and participated fulling in practice. While he didn't play in any games, coaches decision, he never made the lack of preseason playing time about his contract.
With less than two weeks before the season begins against the Jaguars, the Giants awarded him handsomely. Beckham's $19 million salary per year makes him the highest paid receiver in the NFL ever, and easily resets the market. The next closet receiver as far as annual salary is Pittsburgh's Antonio Brown who is making $17 million annually.
The $65 million guaranteed blows everyone out of the water. Only Mike Evans of Tampa Bay comes close at $55 million guaranteed. Atlanta's Julio Jones makes only $47 million guaranteed, and already voiced displeasure with his contract. Look for Jones to be the next one to reset the market come 2019.
Beckham's deal not only blows up the wide receiver market, but will give cause to other non-quarterbacks seeking top dollar. Oakland outside linebacker Khalil Mack is in an intense contract standoff with Oakland. L.A. Rams star defensive end Aaron Donald is also going to be looking to become of the highest paid players in the league as well.
Everyone is paying attention to this historic moment in contract negotiation.
As for the Giants they have made their top star happy and head into the regular season without any contract concerns.
No comments:
Post a Comment