Former New York Giants safety Landon Collins landed a record-breaking deal with the division-rival Washington Redskins during the opening day of the NFL’s legal tampering period on Monday.
The deal calls for $84 million over six seasons with $45 million in total guarantees. Collins’ average annual salary of $14 million makes him the highest-paid safety in the NFL. The same can be said for the total value and the guarantees.
Collins, 25, earned three Pro Bowl appearances in his four seasons with the Giants. Though, he has struggled big time in coverage and is seen as an in-the-box safety.
Following the reported deal, multiple NFL teams expressed shock over what Collins received from the Redskins.
Already been told a few teams are looking at Washington/Collins deal as nuts
— Greg Gabriel (@ggabefootball) March 11, 2019
These reactions shouldn’t be considered a surprise. Collins made his name known back in 2016 as a play-making safety. That season saw him record five interceptions and four sacks. In the two seasons since, the Alabama product has tallied exactly two interceptions and zero sacks.
If a safety who struggles in coverage is going to receive a pay day like this, it’s certainly going to help true free safeties.
That means the market for Earl Thomas and Tyrann Mathieu, among others, is going to be absolutely robust. In NFL terms, those types of single-high safeties or centerfielders are more valuable than veterans of Collins’ ilk.
Stay tuned.