Chad gets an extension !!!

[membengal]

You've got to love the way these things are starting to routinely appear out of the blue. Absolutely zero negotiating through the press, not even the slightest rumor being leaked, and then an announcement about a Bengal player becoming one of the highest paid players at his position. All very routine, all very matter-of-fact.

I could get used to this.

No doubt.

Peter King et al are going to have to work extra hard to slam the Bengals at this point (not that they still won't, but the ammunition is harder and harder to come by).

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

I do love the way these things just come up without us knowing about it. I think the move away from sucking and the new positive attitude about the future, combined with Mike Brown's loyalty to his extended family (the players), and Marvin's ability to make players believe that a real dynasty is being built here will continue to see such things happen.

When even the team "diva" signs quietly, DESPITE having the biggest asshat in the history of agents as his guy, you know the team is on the right track!

[HairOnFire]

I bet in the short term this might even free up some money, depending on how the contract works out of course.

I don't think it will give us anything this year. If my back-of-the-napkin calculations are right, tho, the deal only costs, at most, about $1.5 million more vs. the cap this year than Chad's previous charge. Maybe less, I'm not sure if they can pro-rate bonuses out through 2011 since it's a final option year. But either way the cap hit is minimal, at least this year.

I haven't seen any numbers, but I'm guessing the biggest money in the extension will be paid out next year due to the salary cap going up again, and the Bengals strategy of trying to lock up their O-line players this year.

As for the O-line, I'm guessing it's never been in the cards to lock up everyone, so they only need to get one more deal this year to be in pretty good shape. Additional deals would be ideal, but it's not a given that they won't be able to re-sign a player or two even if they gain their free agent status. And last, if things stall with the blockers I'd turn pretty quickly to Justin Smith.

[Bengalbob]

Poor Anthony Wright--the one day that he gets a little attention, the news of him signing here gets dwarfed by the news that we're keeping our beloved trouble-making, gold-toothed Pro Bowl receiver.

Trouble making? Excuse me?

I'm sure he means that in the most affectionate way!

[HoosierCat]

I haven't seen any numbers, but I'm guessing the biggest money in the extension will be paid out next year due to the salary cap going up again, and the Bengals strategy of trying to lock up their O-line players this year.

Yeah, Chad gets a big payday in '07. Lenny has all the gory details over at espn.com. Basically, he gets another $5 million in bonus money (equal to the deal's signing bonus) in 2007: a $3.5 million option bonus, and a $1.5 million reporting bonus. On top of that is a $3.5 million salary. So basically he collects $8.25 million in actual cash in '06 and another $8.5 million in '07. I think his cap hit in '07 will be about $6.9 million, but it might be less if they can prorate the reporting bonus, which I'm not sure they can. It ought to go down a bit after that and then build back up to about the same in 2010.

As for the O-line, I'm guessing it's never been in the cards to lock up everyone, so they only need to get one more deal this year to be in pretty good shape. Additional deals would be ideal, but it's not a given that they won't be able to re-sign a player or two even if they gain their free agent status. And last, if things stall with the blockers I'd turn pretty quickly to Justin Smith.

Agreed.

[Stripes]

This is awesome news. Chad got his money quietly and everyone's happy. The Bengals are looking more and more like a championship kind of organization as compared to the likes of a New England. I agree with those who've said that this doesn't bode well for Big Willie, but hey he'll be here at least one more year to get that Superbowl ring.

[Ox]

Best news all week. Carson and CJ or another 6 years baby. Can you say HOF combo?

[HairOnFire]

I haven't seen any numbers, but I'm guessing the biggest money in the extension will be paid out next year due to the salary cap going up again, and the Bengals strategy of trying to lock up their O-line players this year.

Yeah, Chad gets a big payday in '07. Lenny has all the gory details over at espn.com. Basically, he gets another $5 million in bonus money (equal to the deal's signing bonus) in 2007: a $3.5 million option bonus, and a $1.5 million reporting bonus. On top of that is a $3.5 million salary. So basically he collects $8.25 million in actual cash in '06 and another $8.5 million in '07. I think his cap hit in '07 will be about $6.9 million, but it might be less if they can prorate the reporting bonus, which I'm not sure they can. It ought to go down a bit after that and then build back up to about the same in 2010.

"I gotcha Chad. I'm gonna make it easy for you. Yeah, I gotcha." --- Mike Brown, recently overheard speaking a rare form of Chadwickian crunk talk.

[BengalByTheBay]

Oh happy day! I was hoping this would get done, but had pretty much given up on it happening before the season started. I'm very impressed at how they were able to take care of business quietly -- on both sides. CJ isn't exactly afraid of a microphone, so this shows some real maturity IMO. That the process was allowed to complete without any rumors, gossip or negotiation in the media was excellent work.

The way things seem to work in FA, this contract probably won't even look all that enormous in a couple of years.

How long til Chad is guest hosting NFL Total Access?

[wookie]

Oh happy day! I was hoping this would get done, but had pretty much given up on it happening before the season started. I'm very impressed at how they were able to take care of business quietly -- on both sides. CJ isn't exactly afraid of a microphone, so this shows some real maturity IMO. That the process was allowed to complete without any rumors, gossip or negotiation in the media was excellent work.

The way things seem to work in FA, this contract probably won't even look all that enormous in a couple of years.

How long til Chad is guest hosting NFL Total Access?

Probably not too long, he's on TV for 1 thing or another every time you turn around. I am really looking forward to the prospect of having Chad around until 2011, and hopefully if he has a Rice-like career, for his entire career.

[HoosierCat]

Memo from the "How Big is my Johnson" Dept:

Just for kicks I went and added up what Mikey has poured into Chad's pocket.

When Chad signed as a rook he got a little more than $1.4 million in bonus money.

When they redid his deal 3 years later he got $12.5 million to sign.

And he just got another $5.5 million in bonus cash this year in the new deal.

There's some piddling bonus coin to throw in, plus, counting 2006, about $5.5 million in salary all totalled.

Add it all up and it comes out to just a shade under $25 million.

Nice chunk of change, eh? And from the Bengals' perspective, cheap. Basically, over 6 years (including '06) Chad will have cost the team about $4 million a year.

[GregCook]

The Marvin Lewis Era Bengals (MLEB) is making it clear to the entire NFL, you play hard for the Bengals, the Bengals will reward you. Draft picks coming in, know this team will take care of you, if you produce. Given that the Bengals didn't have to do this at this time, makes you wonder how that OLine will be taken care of. How much for Levi? $50 million? How much for Willie? $30million? How much for Steiny? 30 million? Makes you wonder if they have a replacement groomed in Stacy for either Willie or Steiny.

Thank you for a first post and I hope I do a few more.

The Marvin Lewis Era Bengals (MLEB) is making it clear to the entire NFL, you play hard for the Bengals, the Bengals will reward you. Draft picks coming in, know this team will take care of you, if you produce. Given that the Bengals didn't have to do this at this time, makes you wonder how that OLine will be taken care of. How much for Levi? $50 million? How much for Willie? $30million? How much for Steiny? 30 million? Makes you wonder if they have a replacement groomed in Stacy for either Willie or Steiny.

Thank you for a first post and I hope I do a few more.

Forgot to have an avatar.....hope everyone enjoys this too

[Stripes]

Forgot to have an avatar.....hope everyone enjoys this too

Welcome aboard, and yes. I do enjoy the avatar.

Memo from the "How Big is my Johnson" Dept:

Just for kicks I went and added up what Mikey has poured into Chad's pocket.

When Chad signed as a rook he got a little more than $1.4 million in bonus money.

When they redid his deal 3 years later he got $12.5 million to sign.

And he just got another $5.5 million in bonus cash this year in the new deal.

There's some piddling bonus coin to throw in, plus, counting 2006, about $5.5 million in salary all totalled.

Add it all up and it comes out to just a shade under $25 million.

Nice chunk of change, eh? And from the Bengals' perspective, cheap. Basically, over 6 years (including '06) Chad will have cost the team about $4 million a year.

I didn't bring my capology hat to class today, and I'm confused by the wording here... Is that 4 million a year as an average of his signing bonuses, or his contract earnings entirely? If it's the latter, then dayum, cheap indeed!

[HoosierCat]

I didn't bring my capology hat to class today, and I'm confused by the wording here... Is that 4 million a year as an average of his signing bonuses, or his contract earnings entirely? If it's the latter, then dayum, cheap indeed!

That is, through 2006, actual money paid (or in the case of this year, to be paid) by Mikey & Co. to Chad. Bonus money and salary.

Remember, Chad was a 2nd round pick, so in his first 3 years he only made about $2.5 million total (a rookie signing bonus of $1.44 million and 3 years of salary that totalled a million and change).

Then over the last 3 years (including 2006) he has gotten $18 million in bonus money and about $4.25 million in salary.

So that's $24-25 million total over 6 years, or a bit more than $4 million a year. But that's a bit misleading: in his first 3 years he averaged like $800,000 a year; in the last three he's over $7 million a year.

[Stripes]

Alright, I gotcha. Thanks.

[HoosierCat]

For the Chad Johnson extension, do Bengals fans owe a tip of the hat to...Terrell Owens? Little blurb from The Sproting News story on the signing (boldface added)...

The three-time Pro Bowl receiver had been under contract through 2009. The new deal runs through 2010, with a club option for 2011, and would give him $10.75 million more than he would have made under the old contract, agent Drew Rosenhaus said.

"It's something we've been working on for over a year, and Chad has been very patient and went about this the right way," agent Drew Rosenhaus said. "There was nothing negative, he never missed any time."

Anyone see this as an opening salvo in Drew Rosenhaus' bid to separate himself from the T.O. debacle? Willing to wait and work ("over a year"), no more press conferences on players' lawns ("nothing negative"), no more holdouts ("never missed any time").

[hayburmill]

I think this is a great signing and I hope we get the O-line going.

I believe it was Chad that kept Rosenhaus in check and not at all Rosenhaus' idea.

Can't wait to see the boys in stripes take down the horseshoes on Monday Night this year!!!

[HairOnFire]

Why would Drew attempt to distance himself from the TO affair? His client may be a jerk, but Drew got him the deal nobody thought he'd get.

[andybren]

The Marvin Lewis Era Bengals (MLEB) is making it clear to the entire NFL, you play hard for the Bengals, the Bengals will reward you. Draft picks coming in, know this team will take care of you, if you produce.

Feels good, doesn't it?

Willie might just be willing to take a pay cut to stay with the team. Maybe take a lesson from Anthony Munoz.

[jjakq27]

Good job Marvin, Mike, Katie and Troy. Way to make it happen.

I would be shocked if they picked an offensive player in the first round now. They would have too much money on that side of the ball. I don't want them to become like the Colts.

[futurebengal08]

OK...I just now found out by this thread that Chad got an extension

The first thing that went through my head...f*ck you, quit messing with me

The second thing that went through my head...holy sh*t, chad got an extension forizzy!

The first thing that went through my undies...sperm

That should explain to you how happy I am right now. Way to get it done, Bengals!

[Dan2330]

After years of being the laughing stock the tide is now turning in the Bengals direction. No more holdouts, lost players, bull s**t FA's using us to better their contracts- now the Bengals are showing they mean business.

Given the recent history of wide receivers and as we all know CJ could of caused some major issues with his contract- this has got to be the best news of the off season!

[BigBenBlows]

I always knew Chad was the man and this just proves it. I still hate Drew Rosenhaus and I wish he wasn't Chad's agent, but we got him for the long haul now!!! WHO-DEY BABY!!!!!!!!!

[marylandbengal]

So lets say - lets just say - that the Bengals will sign only one more lineman this year, who would it be? My money is on Levi. Braham is ready to retire, Willie will command a ton of well-deserved greenbacks, and Steinbach - well, he's great, but he's a guard, and I dont see the Bengals over-paying like Seattle did. But then again, Chad's extension caught me totally off guard, so what do I know? I'd love to wake up tomorrow and read that our O-line is set through 2010.

Ok, beddybye. Some of us have to get up at 5 in the morning. Brother.

[lando griffin]

I usually check Bengals news all the time like a loser, but today I didn't till 10 pm and boy was I given a treat.....great f**king news to go out drinking to. ML is the man, no doubt about it. I look at the rest of the NFL's moves and contracts and most seem so amateur to the bengals logical, systematic, and player-pleasing contract negotiations. Man, we deserve this great s**t after so long. Stars in stripes baby, stars in stripes.