Getty ImagesTwo years ago, receiver Steve Smith was a hot commodity after catching 107 passes for 1,220 yards with the Giants. Along the way, he reportedly turned down a five-year, $35 million contract.
Now, he’s scratching and clawing for whatever he can get.
A league source confirms that Smith’s one-year deal with the Rams has a base salary of $1 million. Per the source, another $1.5 million is available via roster bonuses, presumably paid out on a per-game basis.
Smith denied last year that he’d been offered $35 million over five seasons, claiming he would have “signed it and done back flips.” We’ve actually heard it was a six-year, $36 million offer that Smith rejected.
Either way, Smith’s case illustrates the importance of cooking and eating the bird in the hand.
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The NFL can humble any player quickly…
Some receivers don’t believe it’s the QB that makes the receiver sometimes. Have fun with Sam Bradford throwing you the ball now
Good luck to him … it must be awful to come that close to making that kind of money.
So, the grass is dryer?
So Steve smith just sits the bench for a different team and gets 2 million. Wow! That’s a cool job, your America and collect money from different cities. Lucky dude!
Great Sign! I hope it works out for both parties. Should he return to 2009 form…not a more daangerous receiver in the slot. Good Luck
If he signed that deal with the Giants, they would have had a hell of a time trying to lock up Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks over the next two years.
Steve Smith won’t be sitting on the bench for the RAMS. We need all the help we can get!
Wonder if Agents get penalized when the player is talked out of signing to wait for something better and it doesn’t materialize? Other than missing out on commission, that is……
I wouldn’t feel to bad for him. He made most of his money at USC
drewsg says:
Apr 1, 2012 4:16 PM
Some receivers don’t believe it’s the QB that makes the receiver sometimes. Have fun with Sam Bradford throwing you the ball now
You are right, especially in this case, Eli Manning made Steve Smith. Now he has to work his rear off that its Sam Bradford slinging the ball. Good luck Steve!
Hard worker and a dependable guy while at USC. Wish him the best.
Smith is injury prone thats where the 1 year deal came in but staying healthy he a good wide reciever nothing special but very productive
Doesnt matter if he was offered a 6 year 1 billion dollar deal, only the first year is guaranteed and if hurt he would have gotten cut anyway.
Only $1 million? Poor guy… he must be eligible for food stamps.
The poster child for how to turn a fan base against you.
Smith writes the book on how to wreck your career in less than a year.
good luck to him–he was a big time 3rd down safety net for eli.