$30M per year for a WR?

[LuFins Dad]

Probably only of interest only to @Jolly and @Mik

So Pittsburgh is smack in the middle of the Brandon Aiyuk trade situation…

Ignoring the fact that the Steelers have fallen so far down a rabbit hole that they are competing against the Browns and the Redskins for a player, two organizations that are generally considered to be the worst run teams in the league, and not a model for player acquisition and contract negotiations.. But there you go, that’s where the Steelers are today…

But the much bigger issue is the contract demand by the player is estimated to be $30M per year. I just can’t stomach that. Now, there are multiple teams paying WRs that much… There are nine WRs making over $25M per year and this kid is definitely in that range, but the price tag for receivers is completely out of whack. These 9 teams are paying guys that get ~ 6 touches and 70 yards per game over 10% of the total Salary Cap. That’s insane… Especially since every year, half of the top 20 WRs are on their rookie deals. It’s not that difficult to replace these guys…

Cincinnati has an issue where they have 2 WRs that should be paid at top of the tier levels, but that would tie up 1/4 of their salary cap at 1 position…

If I was GM, I’d draft a WR in the top 3 rounds every year. Some will miss, some will hit, but you’ll likely have at least 1 guy producing 1200 yards per year in that room. When they get to the end of the contract, I’ll let some other team overpay them…

Kansas City Chiefs need a wideout. Buffalo Bills need a wideout. Neither are interested in paying this guy $30M. A few years ago, KC had the best WR in the league. They traded Tyreek Hill rather than pay him $30M. How did that work out? They’ve won the last two Superbowls.

[Mik]

There's cost and there's value. Never consider one without the other. Is he worth it? Sure, if you are an owner and want to see salaries continue to rise long past justifiable and stratospheric levels. Nosebleed seats for the Bengals are $170. It's twice that for the Chiefs. ( I know - I'm going to the Chiefs Bengals game at Arrowhead). An average joe cannot afford to take his kid to an NFL game. This has to stop. If that means revoking their antitrust protection, so be it.

[Jolly]

A few years ago, WR1's were making big money if they were $10M/yr.

My, how things have changed...

[Axtremus]

Welcome to Joe Biden's America.

[Mik]

@Jolly said in $30M per year for a WR?:

A few years ago, WR1's were making big money if they were $10M/yr.

My, how things have changed...

And I could buy a club level seat for $150.

[LuFins Dad]

@Mik said in $30M per year for a WR?:

@Jolly said in $30M per year for a WR?:

A few years ago, WR1's were making big money if they were $10M/yr.

My, how things have changed...

And I could buy a club level seat for $150.

That was more than a few years ago…

[Mik]

Not as many as you’d think.