NFL Rookie to Get Absurd Fully Guaranteed $30.25M Contract Before Taking a Snap

By Ross Kelly July 30, 2018 at 2:58pm

And then there was one.

The New York Jets and No. 3 pick Sam Darnold agreed to terms on a contract Monday that leaves just one player taken in this year’s NFL draft still unsigned, the Bears Roquan Smith.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Darnold’s deal is for four years and worth $30.25 million. The contract is fully guaranteed and Darnold will receive a $20 million signing bonus.

Darnold also confirmed the news himself, after Schefter reported it with a video of him at Jets headquarters.

Official. pic.twitter.com/cHAPk6cTlP

— New York Jets (@nyjets) July 30, 2018

“What’s up Jets fans? Man, it’s a pleasure to be signed now, very excited, very special moment,” Darnold said. “Let’s do it. Jet up!”

With salary parameters already set for each draft slot, the total value of the contract was never really a question. The No. 2 pick, Saquon Barkley, received a contract worth $31.2 million while the No. 4 pick, Denzel Ward, has a deal worth $29.165 million.

The holdup with Darnold’s deal was language in the contract as pertained to guaranteed money.

Rich Cimini of ESPN said that under the Jets original contract offer, Darnold’s entire guarantee would void if he was fined by the league for discipline or conduct.

Will Sam Darnold open the season as the Jets starting QB?

That clause was different than what other top drafted quarterbacks like Baker Mayfield and Josh Allen had in their contracts. For those two players, their guarantees would only void due to a suspension as opposed to just a fine.

Cimini also said that over the last 10 NFL drafts, no top-3 pick had voidables tied to league fines so the Jets were apparently trying to buck the system and protect themselves in the event of a Darnold fine.

Darnold did not report to training camp last week and has missed three practices so far. Josh McCown has been taking the first team reps while Teddy Bridgewater is also on the roster.

“We are very pleased to have Sam join the team,” general manager Mike Maccagnan said in a statement. “This is what both sides wanted all along and we’re eager to get Sam on the practice field while it’s still early in training camp.”

Darnold did just that on Monday as he took the field for the first time under contract.

So this just happened: Newly signed Sam Darnold jogged on the field at 2:01 and received a slow clap from teammates. Josh McCown shook his hand and gave a playful head slap. Away we go. #Jets pic.twitter.com/oRnMAOZvPh

— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) July 30, 2018

As for Smith, he may not be Mr. Irrelevant, but he is now the only one of the 256 players drafted to not be under contract.

His situation is also due to language in his contract but it pertains to the Bears reclaiming guaranteed money if the linebacker is suspended under the league’s new helmet-contact rules.

Submit a Correction →