NFL Reaches Deal On Rookie Wage Scale

by JasonB on Mar 9, 2011 5:49 PM EST in Philadelphia Eagles News

Sam Bradford is lucky he was drafted last year... (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

While the NFL and NFLPA are still reportedly far apart on some issues, it appears they've found some common ground on at least one issue... taking money from rookies. The NFL has wanted to curb rookie salaries for this entire process and the players don't mind selling out guys that aren't a part of their union yet, so it's not a huge surprise that they've come to an agreement on a new rookie wage scale.

Actually, it's probably the wrong connotation to say that the current players have "sold out" the rookies. There are some advantages to the young guys built in.

First, there will be a roll back in the amount of guaranteed money and signing bonuses offered to the top picks. The tops guys will be making less money when they come into the league. However, first round picks will now be limited to signing four year contracts as opposed to the five or six year deals they previously signed. This has a two pronged effect. For one, the owners are on the hook for less years if the guy is a Jamarcus Russell level bust. However, it also gives the players who do excel a chance to get to free agency earlier. Now, if a team decides it wants to keep a guy, they're going to have to re-do his deal after 3 seasons rather than 4 or 5 as been the case previously.

In addition, everyone picked after the first round can not sign a deal longer than three years. Those players can become restricted free agents after their third year. Again, this gives these guys a chance to get a big contract earlier if they've earned it.

The deal also reportedly involves the owners being allowed to insert more language into contracts which allows them to recoup more signing bonus money from players who run afoul of the law.

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Well this of course shows that things are progressing very well so far and gives some people (me included) some hope.

by EaglesRock on Mar 9, 2011 5:52 PM EST reply actions

I dont know about that. This was something that both sides wanted, like Jimmy said. This was the easiest of the issues to get resolved.

by philiafan14364 on Mar 9, 2011 8:13 PM EST up reply actions

Forgive the buzz words

But sometimes, you have to start with the low hanging fruit… let it snowball.

by Sparki on Mar 9, 2011 8:42 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

My theory on this CBA stuff at this point is that speculating is totally pointless, and you just have to wait until the last minute to see what actually happens. Sounds obvious, but it allows me to keep thinking positively. Last week, it sounded like decertification was a sure thing and that an extension wasn’t all that likely, and look what happened. Hopefully, like we’ve all been saying, they’ll get it done soon. I miss the fun of free agency, already.

"You don't call retarded people retards. It's bad taste. You call your friends retards when they're acting retarded." - Michael Scott

by PhiladelphiaEagles on Mar 9, 2011 5:57 PM EST reply actions

I Like

I agree with these changes 100%

Scrapple - It's not just for breakfast anymore...

by Philthy on Mar 9, 2011 6:47 PM EST reply actions

Me too.

It helps the teams that need to improve the most and it helps the players that are worth the money.

by ATG. on Mar 9, 2011 9:05 PM EST up reply actions

This was the easiest issue to solve

it’s a win-win for both sides.

everything else will take time…

"This is one of the top 10 biggest bonehead trades in the history of the NFL."
-Redskins TE Chris Cooley

by Ralf E Chubbs on Mar 9, 2011 6:48 PM EST reply actions

I would've liked to see us

be able to make the first round 5 years, and everything else 4.

Defensive player of the year for 2011 is...

Wild_Eagle!

Yes, Wild_Eagle's infamous reputation did help him get this award. But he shows that he walks the talk that he serves...with his keyboard. Wild_Eagle protects the motherland (BGN) from the evils of noobs, douche-bags, and other assholes. Although he may be crude and unnecessary, all great defenders draws the yellow flag from time to time.

-Awarded by Number5

by wild_eagle on Mar 9, 2011 7:51 PM EST reply actions

Interested to see the numbers for this on where the cap is.

Wondering how much of a reduction it actually is number wise, or is it just the reduction years that makes the difference. Also wonder if it polices that amount of guaranteed money that can be given to a rookie. That’s where the problem lies for me.

Oof.

Twitter @benjabad

by benjapal on Mar 9, 2011 7:53 PM EST reply actions

I read that the 1st round could sign contracts no longer than 4 years, not 3.

Jason Peters: Heart of a Lion, Face of a Chipmunk.

by DickMuffin on Mar 9, 2011 8:34 PM EST reply actions

Good, that is what I read above also.

by ATG. on Mar 9, 2011 9:03 PM EST up reply actions

this is good

The prices on first round picks was getting redonkulous…

by Sparki on Mar 9, 2011 8:44 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Brick By Boring Brick I guess...

But You gotta like where this was going. At least they resolved one issue with a solution that will do the entire league some good…Next up…uhhh..

Yeah ! Real n*****. ALL day ! Just me. By myself. On the block. Holdin’ it down. Gun in my waist. Straight face. All day. Not a game. In jail. By myself. 1 bed. No pillow case. 1 pillow. Didn’t nobody write me. It was early. Woke up. Went back to sleep. Took a nap. You ever go night night ? SAY IT WITH YOUR CHEST LIL ASS N****- Kevin Hart

by Snax on Mar 9, 2011 8:59 PM EST reply actions

The real loser in all of this is Jake Locker. Last year, sure first round pick with a huge guaranteed contract and signing bonuses. This year, probably a third rounder facing a rookie wage scale. Deal with that.

by laxer298 on Mar 9, 2011 9:19 PM EST reply actions