Joel Corry of CBS Sports joined Ross Tucker on the Ross Tucker Podcast to break down some recent NFL free agent signings and which players are due for a big payday.
To say that the Super Bowl LIX-winning Philadelphia Eagles have been making moves this off-season is an understatement. Although they released veteran cornerback Darius Slay, the Eagles signed first-team All-Pro Zack Baun to a three-year deal worth 51 million dollars. They wasted no time signing their bell cow running back Saquon Barkley to a two-year extension worth 41.2 million dollars. Barkley’s extension surprised Corry, given he only played one season with the team. Granted, some could argue it was the best by a running back, but Corry explained that the Eagles set a precedent of getting ahead of singing key players going back to last year when they extended AJ Brown, who was in the third year of his contract. Corry stressed that it was out of necessity, given Brown, who is unquestionably the Eagles’ number one receiver, was making $25 million per year, the same as their number two receiver, DeVonta Smith, so an adjustment had to happen, according to Corry.
Further, if you are looking at it from a running back perspective, the best running back in 2023, San Francisco 49ers Christian McCaffrey, received a new deal with two years left on his contract at 19 million dollars a year. Corry acknowledges that McCaffrey and Barkley had some injury concerns but got new deals. All this says to Corry is Ravens running back Derrick Henry is severely underpaid, and he anticipates the Ravens working something out with him before the start of the season. Tucker affirmed Corry’s stance on Henry given he is only making 8 million dollars a year, which is much less than other tailbacks.
Speaking of extensions, the Las Vegas Raiders extended defensive end Maxx Crosby to a three-year, 106.5 million dollar deal, ultimately making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. Corry anticipated the Raiders doing this, given Crosby’s unhappiness with his contract. Last season, they gave him a six million increase, but it was a temporary fix. According to Corry, Crosby was instrumental in recruiting defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, who is getting paid more than him. The Raiders were wise to extend Crosby at this point in the year because if the notion was to make him the highest-paid quarterback, that will ultimately change as the free agency period ensues. The Bengals are determined to make Ja’Marr Chase the highest-paid non-quarterback, and with pass rushers like Micah Parsons, TJ Watt, and Myles Garrett primed for new deals, the title of highest-paid non-quarterback could be a game of musical chairs, as Corry puts it.
Sam Darnold’s contract situation with the Vikings is being closely monitored during this free-agent period. Corry explained that Darnold’s situation is tough becuase he does not know how teams will evaluate him based on how awful he played in the last two games. Darnold had moments where people would argue for him as a top 10 quarterback, and then it was like the clock struck 12, and like Cinderrella went back to the Sam Darnold we recognize. On a serious note, Corry explained that the average salary for a starting quarterback not on a rookie contract, according to NFLPA data, is roughly 40 million dollars a year. If he were representing him, he would negotiate a contract for Darnold in the low 40 million dollar range, comparable to Daniel Jones and Kirk Cousins from an Achilles injury. Corry added that what you negotiate and get can be two different things. It depends on the market. The good thing for Darnold is that this year’s quarterback draft class is not as highly touted as last year’s. If Minnesota puts Darnold on the franchise tag, then it will indicate that the market is soft on him. However, it will give him another year to show that the last season was not a fluke in hopes of increasing his chances for a new contract.
Check out Ross’ full conversation with Cosell in the full video or podcast below. And make sure to tune into the Ross Tucker Podcast on DraftKings Network! See more about how to watch DraftKings Network here.
SHOW BREAKDOWN
Maxx Crosby gets paid, Sam Darnold’s market, & Brock Purdy extension with Joel Corry
Ross is joined by CBS Sports’ Joel Corry to discuss all of the big contract news ahead of free agency including:
- The Eagles signing Saquon Barkley to a new deal
- The state of the Cincinnati Bengals
- Maxx Crosby & Osa Odighizuwa’s new contracts
- Brock Purdy’s upcoming contract
- What will Sam Darnold make in free agency? And more!
VIDEO:
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