Raise your hand if you want to extend Taylor

[Kray007]

A shade over $15 Million a year would make him the highest paid RB in the league, and if I’m the GM, I’m all in.

First of all, we’ll have a Quarterback playing on his first contract, which gives us a lot of cap leeway. Second, the cap is set to explode in the next few years, going from $224 Million this year to $308 Million in 2026. Third, Richardson isn’t exactly a polished, finished product, right now, and it’d be smart to maximize the talent level around him. And, fourth, 1800 yard rushers don’t exactly grow on trees.

My template would be Alvin Kamara’s extension with the Saints…5 years, $75 Million, $34 Million guaranteed.

His first year counted $5 Million against the cap. His second year escalated to $14 Million, but a simple restructure lowered that to a shade more than $6 Million without severely impacting future years. The next 2 years escalate to 9 and then $18 Million; but, the cotract is structured so that cutting him before the start of year 4, actually saves them $2 Million on the cap. Year 5, of course, is where the road ends on his contract. The final year carries a $29 Million cap hit, but only $4 Million or so of that counts against the cap if he’s cut.

Easy decision.

[JAFF]

Without an 88 at wr, I say yes. Not knocking anyone on the roster, but he is a bell cow that a defense needs to account for on first thru third down

[YDFL Commish]

Okay, I'm not all in at $15 million a year. This is nothing against JT or his latest injury.

It's just that he's not an all-around back. He often gets pulled in passing situations due to his lack of route running skills. His pass blocking skills also leave something to be desired.

He's not in the McCaffery or Kamara stratosphere. That being the case, I would slot him between the $13 million and $14 million area, which would be slightly above Derrick Henry, w/no more than $25 million guaranteed at signing and no more than 4 years.

[Kray007]

Originally Posted by YDFL Commish

Okay, I'm not all in at $15 million a year. This is nothing against JT or his latest injury.

It's just that he's not an all-around back. He often gets pulled in passing situations due to his lack of route running skills. His pass blocking skills also leave something to be desired.

He's not in the McCaffery or Kamara stratosphere. That being the case, I would slot him between the $13 million and $14 million area, which would be slightly above Derrick Henry, w/no more than $25 million guaranteed at signing and no more than 4 years.

The last year of a 5 year contract might as well be paid in monopoly money. It looks good, makes the player feel good, and gives the agent bragging rights. But, the player will never see a penny of it. You structure the contract so that the cap hit is reasonable for the first four years, balloons in the fifth, and you restructure at your discretion.

So, we can sign Taylor to a contract that really pays him $13 Million a year and he’s happy…just so long a big enough chunk is guaranteed.

[Butter]

Nope.

[Oldcolt]

He's a back. Franchise him. For two years in a row if need be. Great backs are fun to watch, great to root for and fill up the stands. What they don't do is lead their teams to Super Bowl wins. Seven backs have been Super Bowl MVP, the last one was Terrell Davis in 1997. Spend big long term money on positions of impact.

[CletusPyle]

Wouldn't do it!

[Kray007]

Originally Posted by Oldcolt

He's a back. Franchise him. For two years in a row if need be. Great backs are fun to watch, great to root for and fill up the stands. What they don't do is lead their teams to Super Bowl wins. Seven backs have been Super Bowl MVP, the last one was Terrell Davis in 1997. Spend big long term money on positions of impact.

Nowadays it’s taken as an article of faith that you don’t sign a Running Back to a 2nd contract. But, sometimes, articles of faith aren’t worth the stone they’re carved into.

Traditionally, most great Running Backs are still in their prime in their 7th season. For example, 7th seasons looked like this for:

Tony Dorsett: 1,321
Adrian Peterson: 1,286
Ladanian Tomlinson: 1,474
Walter Payton: 1,222
Barry Sanders: 1,553
Marshall Faulk: 1,359
OJ Simpson: 1,816
Eric Dickerson; 1,311

In order to get him into his 7th season, we’d have to tag him 3 times. The first time carries a salary of $10 Million. Number two comes in at $12 Million, and a third pop would be $18 Million.

So, by repeatedly tagging him, you’re carving out $40 Million in cap space. If you look at Kamara’s extension, the first year had a cap hit of $5 Million. Year two was 6 and year three was 8. The way the contract is structured, the Saints can get out after year 3 by cutting him and taking a $17 Million dead money hit on cap.

To me, the path is clear.

[CletusPyle]

Originally Posted by Kray007

Nowadays it’s taken as an article of faith that you don’t sign a Running Back to a 2nd contract. But, sometimes, articles of faith aren’t worth the stone they’re carved into.

Traditionally, most great Running Backs are still in their prime in their 7th season. For example, 7th seasons looked like this for:

Tony Dorsett: 1,321
Adrian Peterson: 1,286
Ladanian Tomlinson: 1,474
Walter Payton: 1,222
Barry Sanders: 1,553
Marshall Faulk: 1,359
OJ Simpson: 1,816
Eric Dickerson; 1,311

In order to get him into his 7th season, we’d have to tag him 3 times. The first time carries a salary of $10 Million. Number two comes in at $12 Million, and a third pop would be $18 Million.

So, by repeatedly tagging him, you’re carving out $40 Million in cap space. If you look at Kamara’s extension, the first year had a cap hit of $5 Million. Year two was 6 and year three was 8. The way the contract is structured, the Saints can get out after year 3 by cutting him and taking a $17 Million dead money hit on cap.

To me, the path is clear.

You make a good case, nice post!

[Oldcolt]

My point is that you listed some of the greatest backs in recent NFL history. In the almost 100 seasons of football they cumulatively played those backs have won two super bowls. Great backs don't win you championships. Don't spend big for them. They can be replaced with mid round picks and you have not hurt your chances for a championship.