7. Huge contracts could set high bar
There’s a new highest-paid safety in the NFL.
During the week of the NFL Combine, the Kansas City Chiefs inked All Pro Eric Berry to a sweet six-year, $78 million deal. He will now earn $500,000 more on average per year than Arizona Cardinals safety Tyrann Mathieu. This makes Berry the highest paid player at his position.
The eighth-year safety recorded four interceptions, two touchdowns, one fumble recovery and 77 combined tackles in 2016. He will certainly be instrumental in setting the bar higher for other safeties when their contracts are reworked or expire.
As for Antonio Brown, his Pittsburgh Steelers finally took care of him. The 28-year-old All Pro is now the richest receiver in the league.
His deal consists of a four-year extension worth $68 million. This equates to a cool $17 million per season through 2021.
Prior to the Steelers putting pen to paper, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green was the highest paid, raking in $15 million per year.
Brown is certainly deserving of the substantial raise he just earned.
Over his past four seasons, the talented receiver has averaged 120 receptions for 1,578 yards and 10.75 touchdowns per year.