As the lockout thankfully nears an end, we might already have an idea how much dough the draft’s top overall pick may soon be pulling in.
NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora is hearing that the Panthers will hand Cam Newton a contract in the “vicinity” of $35 million over five years.
This would be the first deal that gets done under the new rookie wage scale, a major component of the new collective bargaining agreement. Without diving into specifics, the new system will see that rookie deals are structured in a way that’s friendly for both team and player alike.
On Thursday, there was a reported agreement on the new rookie salary system between both sides in the labor negotiations. For months, that was a giant roadblock in the talks, but is being viewed as a major breakthrough now that the new CBA should be finalized in a matter of days.
And, despite it extending the lockout, it’s about time the NFL took its time and finally got it right with rookie deals. The money some top draft selections were receiving upon entering the league was getting to be ridiculous. Take 2010′s first overall pick — Rams quarterback Sam Bradford. He received a $78 million deal over six years, including a whopping $50 million guaranteed.
It may be hindsight because Bradford looks like the real deal in St. Louis, but that contract opened a lot of eyes to how much of an overhaul the old policy needed.
Newton, who Carolina is hoping becomes their Bradford and more, will apparently earn significantly less than most quarterbacks drafted at No. 1 in year’s past. But with the guaranteed cash coming to him — which has to be at least $20 million — and the opportunity to sign a lucrative extension if he pans out well in a few seasons means this is not exactly a travesty.
