Here are some details on deals recently reached around the NFL:
- Xavien Howard, CB (Dolphins): Five-year, $90MM. The contract, according to Mike Florio of NBC Sports, has a guaranteed amount of $36.3MM consisting of a $17.12MM signing bonus and the next two seasons of base salary worth just $1.04MM in 2022 and jumping to $18.15MM in 2023. On the third league day of the 2024 season, $4MM of the 2024 base salary (worth $15.4MM) becomes guaranteed. Howard will receive roster bonuses of $3MM on the second league day of each of the 2024, 2025, and 2026 seasons. He also will receive an additional $1MM for each Pro Bowl and 1st-Team All-Pro selection and $100,000 per year as a workout bonus. Howard had three years remaining on his deal before signing his extension. It’s extremely rare for a team to draw up a new deal with that much time remaining, but Miami’s willingness to keep Howard happy is a testament to how important he is to the franchise.
- Mitchell Trubisky, QB (Steelers): Two-year, $14.29MM. The contract, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, has a signing bonus of $5.25MM set to apply evenly over both years of the deal. Trubisky’s base salary in 2022 is only $1.04MM and jumps up to $8MM in 2023. The deal holds a potential $8.5MM in incentives. $4MM of play-time incentives each year should be easily reached if Trubisky wins the starting job and stays healthy. The remaining $500,000 would be earned in $250,000 increments if Trubisky makes the Pro Bowl in either year.
- Arden Key, DE (Jaguars): One-year, $4MM. The contract, according to Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network, has a guaranteed amount of $3MM consisting of the signing bonus and base salary, each worth $1.5MM. The remaining $1MM comes in the form of a $500,000 roster bonus and a $500,000 workout bonus. Key will receive a per game active bonus of $29,411 for a potential season total of $500,000. Wilson also reports that Key can earn up to $3MM of additional money in sack and Pro Bowl incentives.
- Ronald Jones, RB (Chiefs): One-year, $1.5MM. The contract, according to Greg Auman of The Athletic, consists of a $250,000 signing bonus and a $1.25MM base salary. The deal was originally reported as “up to $5MM”, but Auman clarifies that any money past the listed $1.5MM would consist of incentives.
The Chiefs could have a nasty rushing attack if both Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Ronald Jones can stay healthy.
Their quick strike scoring ability will unquestionably take a hit with the loss of Tyreek Hill, but I think overall, their offense actually just might be even better.
The Chiefs could very well target a steal of a pick like George Pickens with their 3rd pick landing at #50. Pickens with his combination of his speed and amazing catching ability could be a real force for the Chiefs.
Whichever top WR they get, they’ll get at least one with one of their top 50 picks. Plus, they’ll still have Kelce, Juju Smith-Shuster, Valdez-Scantling, Mecole Hardman, and maybe Josh Gordon? etc., so they will have plenty of weapons at their disposal. Also, with that being said, I fully expect to see Mecole Hardman’s speed and play-making abilities better utilized as well this season.
So with Mahomes and Reid utilizing their combination of possession receivers and pure speed in their passing game, and then with their two-headed monster of CEH and R.Jones in the backfield at RB, the Chiefs could focus alot more on ball control and sustaining longer drives. In turn, they will likely be able to keep their defense off the field longer, which should allow them to stay fresh and not get worn down throughout the.course of the game.
The Chiefs will need to add to their defense through the draft, and their main focal point should be to compliment some of their key veteran starters like Frank Clark, Chris Jones, Justin Reid, Juan Thornhill, etc., but they’ll also need to rely on some of their younger players like Baker, Gay, Kaindoh, Bolton, Herring, Stills, etc. to step up and either continue making an impact or at least add some additional quality depth to their main core.
With health, bringing in some quality talent and depth through the draft, by some of their younger players stepping up, and if they can actually be able to consistently sustain some long drives on offense, the Chiefs could very well end up with one of the more complete teams in the NFL. I don’t think that would be a stretch whatsoever.
Even with losing Hill, I think a change in philosophy could really do wonders for the overall health and prosperity of this team. Only time will tell their tale, but I warn you don’t discount this team moving forward!! With a renewed focus of Ball control and ball security, Mahomes and the Chiefs could just very well be more efficient and overall better than ever!!
I’m trying to figure out who your favorite Team is??
Lol 49ers…But, I’m simply a fan of good football in general..