Jordan Love, Saquon Barkley headline NFL’s riskiest contracts this offseason

Ben Arthur

AFC South Reporter

Every year, NFL clubs throw millions of dollars at players aiming to preserve continuity, get ahead of their books and improve their teams. 

For the most part, we don’t question the mega deals thrown at bona-fide superstars. But there are always big contracts that give us a reason for pause, whether it’s because of a player’s past performance, lack of experience, injury history and/or off-the-field concerns, among other reasons.

Here are FOX Sports’ seven “riskiest” NFL contracts signed this offseason:

1. Green Bay Packers QB Jordan Love
Contract: four years for $220 million, including $160.3 million guaranteed

Why it’s a risk: It’s obvious: Love has only started one full season. 

Of course, the Packers had to pay the former first-round pick (he had been entering a contract year) and in this time of skyrocketing quarterback contracts, the next guy up sets new financial records in his deal (Love’s $55 average annual value ties Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence and Bengals QB Joe Burrow for the highest in league history). You don’t have to be the best. 

But that doesn’t erase the tremendous risk of paying Love off one great year. Can he maintain greatness year in and year out, as Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre did before him? If Love can’t build on his success, this contract could be a long-term disaster for the Packers.

Does Jordan Love deserve to be the highest-paid QB?

2. Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins 
Contract: four years for $180 million, including $100 million guaranteed 

Why it’s a risk: Cousins is the best starting quarterback the Falcons have had since prime Matt Ryan, but giving him triple-digit guarantees coming off an Achilles tear at age 35 is a massive gamble. Atlanta’s decision to draft Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 overall only raises more questions about the contract. 

3. Philadelphia Eagles RB Saquon Barkley
Contract: three years for $37.75 million,…


Source link : https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/jordan-love-saquon-barkley-headline-nfls-riskiest-contracts-offseason

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Publish date : 2024-07-30 16:04:54

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