Patrick Mahomes is expected to become the NFL’s highest-paid player — perhaps by a significant margin — at some point between now and the start of the 2021 season. The Chiefs’ eventual negotiations may change because of the player picked two spots after him in the 2017 draft. The Texans have begun talks with Deshaun Watson, and Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle threw out a monster price range for the franchise’s cornerstone player. A Watson extension could range from $40-$42MM per year, Wilson writes. While it is not certain where Houston stands in talks with its fourth-year quarterback, Laremy Tunsil was able to move the tackle market from $18MM per year to $22MM AAV. Watson surpassing $40MM annually would be a bigger jump for QB salaries.
Watson, 24, seems a lock to surpass Russell Wilson‘s $35MM-per-year value. But with the quarterback market moving north gradually in this era — albeit with greater acceleration in the past two-plus years — Watson’s extension raising the NFL salary ceiling to this degree would represent a staggering markup that would affect other teams’ negotiations. Such a player-friendly agreement would also come at an uncertain time. With it not certain fans will be in stadiums, the 2021 salary cap could go down instead of making the once-expected $10MM-plus climb.
Shifting first to some staff updates, here is the latest from the AFC South:
- Titans team president Steve Underwood is stepping down, according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. After 40 years with the organization, which included the move from Houston in the mid-’90s, he’ll remain on board as a special advisor to owner Amy Adams Strunk. Underwood began his tenure as a legal counsel to Houston Oilers founder Bud Adams and played a key role in the franchise’s relocation to Nashville. Underwood retired previously, stepping away from the team in 2011, but returned in 2015.
- Once NFL teams return to their respective facilities, the atmosphere will be different because of COVID-19. On that note, the Texans are hiring a hygiene coordinator. It is not certain who will fill this newly created position, but Wilson notes he or she will be in charge with overseeing the conditions of the team’s practice facility and play a key role in coordinating the cleanliness of NRG Stadium.
- The Colts had a specific type of wide receiver in mind when they selected Michael Pittman Jr. out of USC with the 34th overall pick, and Frank Reich targeted the USC wideout well in advance of the draft. “We wanted a big body, a guy who is physically tough,” Reich said in a Colts.com video. “A big body who would do the dirty work and block, make contested catches, get 50-50 balls. (Pittman) showed that on tape. From the first time I watched him, I loved him.” Pittman is 6-foot-4 and 223 pounds. He is expected to start opposite the 5-10 T.Y. Hilton. Reich compared Pittman to former Philip Rivers Chargers target Vincent Jackson, who was 6-5.
The money its great, but I don’t think Bill will take the Texans any further. He’s not a SB coach, in my opinion. And certainly not a very good GM. Watson should not sign and go elsewhere. Been proven recently that high end players can balk on their franchises & get traded. Ramsey, Bunker, Lots of chatter about Jets Adams, M Fitz to Pit all come to mind.
Pittman was a great pick. He got lost in the shuffle with lots of good wideouts and bad qbs at USC but was 1st rnd talent easy.
I agree. He’s going to be a good player early on. Definitely lost in the shuffle. I thought he was the 5th best WR in this past draft and I considered him having more upside than Jefferson.
If Watson is asking 40 mill a season you trade him. That kind of money can cripple a franchise so let someone else be stupid enough to pay him that. Even if the cap reaches 250 mill…..40 mill represents roughly 1/6 of the cap room. Pass. Having 210 mill to spend on 52 players? You’re going to see diminished returns from oline receivers and defense.
Get a kings ransom in draft picks and/or players and build a contender with money saved having to pay Watson.
You can win a Superbowl with decent QB play. You can’t win one without an oline and defense.
I thought the same thing when I read 40-42 aav. I bet he could trade Watson and a future 5 for the 1st overall next year minimum for Lawrence
Why would a team trade for a $40m a year player rather than draft a QB w/ 1 loss in 2 years on a rookie contract?
Doubt they get that.
They could conceivably get a couple first, some 2nds, 3rds, 4ths, and some young players. Some combination of draft picks and players.
Cowboys could be a destination. Raiders with their new stadium. Bears. Falcons could market him pretty well given Vicks success with the franchise.
Why would the Cowboys be a destination? They already have a QB that they’re hesitating to pay big money to and Watson’s numbers aren’t that much better than Dak’s to justify that kind of expense (money and trade assets).
The nfl has to put a cap on how much qbs can make . And let it be based on performance,but it’s insane that if u want continued success u need to have a wife like Gisselle
They have to put a cap on how much quarterbacks can make. Let it be based on performance but it’s insane that you need your qb to take a pay cut to have continued success
The best solution is to find a middle ground between the run dominated game that existed up to the late 70s and the pass dominated game that exists now. If you can achieve a balance then no position becomes so essential that it claims too high a percentage of cap spending.
O’Brien will pay more than Watson asks for, and would never trade him. His entire philosophy is built around Deshaun right now, even if his terrible offseason decisions have hurt more than helped. In his mind, he has completely tied his team’s success to Watson, and rid himself of any player no named Laremy Tunsil or J.J. Watt who would threaten the cap space available for a Watson deal. Watson has not shown any displeasure-yet-with his team, and O’Brien likely will not lowball him, so I expect the deal to be lucrative and signed fairly quickly.
BOB has run this team into the ground it’s crazy he still has a job.
He traded 2 firsts, a second and Davenport for Tunsil who needs a new deal and Stills.
He traded Hopkins for loose change.
He traded away Jadeveon Clowney for loose change. He let DJ Reader walk in FA and He let AJ Bouye walk in FA.
Imagine having a good coach and GM who could’ve built a defence of Watt, Clowney, Reader, McKinney, Mercilus and Bouye
And an offence with Watson Miller Hyde Hopkins Fuller Coutee Tunsil Davenport Martin Fulton and Howard.
Should’ve paid Bouye, not traded away Clowney unless your getting a first. Not gone after a big name RB and just kept what was working for you, not traded away Hopkins for nothing and have him the extension, waited fo sign Tunsil or looked elsewhere instead of giving up boat loads.
that is just crazy money
In today’s NFL you are better off trading your QB for draft picks than paying a QB. when was the last time a QB in the Top 5 of salary won the super bowl. It’s why the real MVP of the Pats has been Giselle so Tom can take those pay cuts