Why AJ Green Will Not Be a Bengal in 2015

[HoosierCat]

I don't think it matters how much cap space the FO pushes into the future, I can't see Mike Brown ever paying any non-QB money like this.

Calvin Johnson gets 7 years, $132 million, $60 million guaranteed

Posted by Michael David Smith on March 14, 2012, 11:13 AM EDT

The Lions were willing to spend whatever it took to lock up wide receiver Calvin Johnson for years to come.

Johnson and the Lions are scheduled to announce a long-term contract extension this afternoon, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that it’s a seven-year deal worth $132 million, with $60 million guaranteed. That makes it the biggest contract in NFL history, surpassing Larry Fitzgerald’s contract with the Cardinals.

The Lions’ website pegs the deal as “a seven-year extension worth close to $130 million.” The site also says the contract reduces Johnson’s cap hit this year, meaning they’ll have more money available to re-sign linebacker Stephen Tulloch, who now looks like their top priority in free agency.

The $60 million “guarantee” may not be fully guaranteed: As we’ve seen many times with NFL contracts, guarantees can be less than advertised. But Johnson will clearly be among the highest-paid players in NFL history, and as staggering as the numbers look, Johnson is worth it. He’s only 26 years old and coming off a phenomenal season in which he caught 96 passes for 1,681 yards and 16 touchdowns, then turned in a brilliant performance in the playoff loss to the Saints. And Johnson is known as a consummate professional, hard worker and good teammate who doesn’t get in trouble off the field.

This looks like a deal that should make both sides happy.

[BengalszoneBilly]

I don't think it matters how much cap space the FO pushes into the future, I can't see Mike Brown ever paying any non-QB money like this.

Calvin Johnson gets 7 years, $132 million, $60 million guaranteed

Posted by Michael David Smith on March 14, 2012, 11:13 AM EDT

The Lions were willing to spend whatever it took to lock up wide receiver Calvin Johnson for years to come.

Johnson and the Lions are scheduled to announce a long-term contract extension this afternoon, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that it’s a seven-year deal worth $132 million, with $60 million guaranteed. That makes it the biggest contract in NFL history, surpassing Larry Fitzgerald’s contract with the Cardinals.

The Lions’ website pegs the deal as “a seven-year extension worth close to $130 million.” The site also says the contract reduces Johnson’s cap hit this year, meaning they’ll have more money available to re-sign linebacker Stephen Tulloch, who now looks like their top priority in free agency.

The $60 million “guarantee” may not be fully guaranteed: As we’ve seen many times with NFL contracts, guarantees can be less than advertised. But Johnson will clearly be among the highest-paid players in NFL history, and as staggering as the numbers look, Johnson is worth it. He’s only 26 years old and coming off a phenomenal season in which he caught 96 passes for 1,681 yards and 16 touchdowns, then turned in a brilliant performance in the playoff loss to the Saints. And Johnson is known as a consummate professional, hard worker and good teammate who doesn’t get in trouble off the field.

This looks like a deal that should make both sides happy.

If A.J. becomes a WR in the class of Calvin, he just might. Problem is Andy will be at the doorstep at the same time.

[bwillycuse]

AJ isnt Calvin Johnson yet. Much more to prove. But you have to resign your rookies if you aren't very active in free agency or you have to find a new business to be in.

Who is the highest paid player on the Bengals? Hall? Andre? Nugent?

[ArmyBengal]

I saw that deal and thought the same thing. They better be pushing more than 1.6 million into the future.

As a matter of fact, lets just start saving now by cutting some of our players this season.

I mean we have to keep planning for the future you know...

I really need to get out of this mood i'm in.

I'm sure a Grubbs signing would help out !!!

Guess i'll be staying in a mood huh ??

Fortunately, the draft isn't far off...

[BengalszoneBilly]

AJ isnt Calvin Johnson yet. Much more to prove.

I know. I said "IF".

[derekshank]

Nothing says "Bengal fan" like illegitmate hand-wringing about something that is still more than 3 years away.

[UK Bengal]

Dude

Really

Really

Really

!!!

[HoosierCat]

Nothing says "Bengal fan" like illegitmate hand-wringing about something that is still more than 3 years away.

Hey, I'm not the one who started all the hand-wringing over 2014, remember?

[ArmyBengal]

Nothing says "Bengal fan" like illegitmate hand-wringing about something that is still more than 3 years away.

Blame the front office that pushed an extra 1.6 million into next year so they could plan for the future, as opposed to getting someone to help protect Dalton.

[HoosierCat]

Here's our boy Hobs just an hour ago:

The signings also offer more evidence that the Bengals attention is shifting to the future of its nucleus. On the defensive line they are going to have to deal with contracts that expire for Johnson, 25, at the end of 2012 and Atkins, 24 in two weeks, and Dunalp, 23, after 2013.

Gotta stuff that mattress! Just for the record now, the Bengals have (so far) sacrificed $1.6 million in cap space, Frostee Rucker and Jonathan Fanene on the Altar of the Future. I'm sure the cruel god of 2014 will demand more...

[BengalPimp]

Here's our boy Hobs just an hour ago:

The signings also offer more evidence that the Bengals attention is shifting to the future of its nucleus. On the defensive line they are going to have to deal with contracts that expire for Johnson, 25, at the end of 2012 and Atkins, 24 in two weeks, and Dunalp, 23, after 2013.

and I got $20 that says they let 2 out of those 3 leave and their excuse at that time will be they needed to "look ahead at '14 and '15"

It's a f'n cycle of lies and cheapness

[Kazkal]

AJ isnt Calvin Johnson yet. Much more to prove. But you have to resign your rookies if you aren't very active in free agency or you have to find a new business to be in.

Who is the highest paid player on the Bengals? Hall? Andre? Nugent?

With that being said we should start talks about extending him now vs when he hits Megatron/Fitzgerald Level.

[HoosierCat]

With that being said we should start talks about extending him now vs when he hits Megatron/Fitzgerald Level.

Unfortunately the new CBA doesn't allow teams to re-do rookie contracts for three years.

[Kazkal]

With that being said we should start talks about extending him now vs when he hits Megatron/Fitzgerald Level.

Unfortunately the new CBA doesn't allow teams to re-do rookie contracts for three years.

Donkey Balls

[COB]

they are going to have to deal with contracts that expire...Dunalp, 23, after 2013

Should I be interpreting that to mean they are trying to extend Dunlap right now?

[jonahdsage]

You guys are beyond me. We're coming off a playoff year, FA isn't over, more than a month until the draft, and you guys are crucifying Mike Brown for failing to give AJ Green a huge contract THREE SEASONS from now. Good grief. We'll win the Super Bowl and you guys will be complaining because we didn't win one sooner. :frustrated:

[HoosierCat]

We're coming off a playoff year, FA isn't over, more than a month until the draft, and you guys are crucifying Mike Brown for failing to give AJ Green a huge contract THREE SEASONS from now.

No one has said anything of the sort. What I and others are objecting to in the FO's insistence that, because they may need to shell out big bucks three seasons from now, they can't spend in free agency this year -- despite having the most cap space in the league and very few players under contract beyond 2013.

And if you're a cynical bastige like me, you look at deals like Megatron's and wonder if "saving up" won't matter in the end, because the Bengals simply don't do megabucks deals. In the history of the team there's been one (1) example, Carson Palmer's extension in 2005. And look how that turned out.

[HoosierCat]

Should I be interpreting that to mean they are trying to extend Dunlap right now?

I would hope not right now. Now's the time to sign FAs not guys who are already under contract. But yeah, it seems like the plan is to approach these guys with extensions soon.

[ArmyBengal]

You guys are beyond me. We're coming off a playoff year, FA isn't over, more than a month until the draft, and you guys are crucifying Mike Brown for failing to give AJ Green a huge contract THREE SEASONS from now. Good grief. We'll win the Super Bowl and you guys will be complaining because we didn't win one sooner. :frustrated:

Go back and re-read the thread brother.

[derekshank]

Since we're talking about Calvin Johnson's contract... it might be worth mentioning that the original numbers quoted are more than likely Phony Bologna.

[BengalszoneBilly]

Since we're talking about Calvin Johnson's contract... it might be worth mentioning that the original numbers quoted are more than likely Phony Bologna.

Still a lot of money though.

[ArmyBengal]

So basically they are saying it's a 5 year deal worth 78.25 million.

I still don't know that I see Mike Brown willing to pay better than 12 million per year for Green.

However, Green isn't at that level "yet" and may never get there, dropping the price a bit.

Then again, by the time we get to being able to rework his deal, 12 million might be low.

Anyway around, I still hate the idea of not doing anything and claiming it's because we have to worry about contracts down the road. Take them one at a time, use the tag if needed, and don't forget the new TV deal that will come into play, which will surely raise the salary cap making more of this feasible.

Don't let players go, not bring in anyone, shove your thumbs up your butt, and make excuses.

[Kazkal]

Think one perk that may help in future is mike brown very well could do another blockbuster deal ala palmer but we,d never see two at same time lucky dont see dalton ending up 100millwith qb just maybe 50ish

[derekshank]

Remember 2006? Only months after making Carson Palmer the highest paid player in NFL history... Drew Rosenhaus had this to say about the Mike Brown's willingness to give Chad an extension:

"In terms of 'new money,' and just being unique from the standpoint of being able to do something for a player who still had four years left on his [existing] contract, it's really monumental," said agent Drew Rosenhaus, who was hired by Johnson a year ago to upgrade his contract "As long as I've been doing this, I've never been able to get an extension like this, basically because of the time remaining on the contract. It's historical. And it's a testament to Chad, and how well he's performed, and to Bengals management for the way they have handled this and the commitment they've made to him."

Mike Brown still had Chad under contract through 2009... but was still willing to shell out big cash to keep a premier QB/WR combo happy. If AJ Green performs like Fitzgerald and Calvin Johnson over the next two years, Mike Brown will be more than happy to reward him.

Stop worrying.

[HoosierCat]

Mike Brown still had Chad under contract through 2009... but was still willing to shell out big cash to keep a premier QB/WR combo happy. If AJ Green performs like Fitzgerald and Calvin Johnson over the next two years, Mike Brown will be more than happy to reward him.

Chad's 2006 extension contained only $10.75 million in new money (of which Chad collected less than $5 million from Mike). And the total value of the deal was less than $6 million per year. That isn't even in the ballpark of the coin they'll need if Green keeps playing like he did in 2011.

Stop worrying.

Im not worried. Heck, the FO keeps telling us that the whole reason they're playing it conservative in FA is so they can show these guys the money come 2014 or so. But I am a cynical bastige, and I've watched this organization for years, and they just don't hand out deals like Megatron's.

Now, what I DO see them possibly doing is using the franchise tag on Green for a couple of years. Given the changes in how the tag is calculated it's certain to be cheaper than giving him Megatron money (again, this assumes Green keeps playing like a superstar). A double-tag scenario allows them to hold on to him through 2016. He'll be 29 in 2017. They could re-sign him cheaper then, or move on.