In the past five days, new deals have been done by two of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.
So what about the next three who are widely presumed to be on deck?
We’ve cast the net this morning and learned that there are no negotiations between Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, and Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford and their respective teams.
Ryan, who has one year left on his rookie deal, likely will eclipse the new $20.1 million average set by Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco. Eventually.
Romo, who carries a cap number of $16.8 million into the final year of his contract, holds all the cards. And the Cowboys know it. Despite suggestions from the team that talks are happening on an “informal” basis, Romo continues to play it cool and wait. And it’s driving the Cowboys crazy.
Stafford has two years left on his rookie deal, despite a cap number that currently exceeds $20.8 million. The Lions need to reduce a cap charge that consumes 16.9 percent of their total space, but it can happen now only with the kind of contract that would exceed Flacco, Ryan, and anyone else.
And so with one quarterback contract conundrum cured, it’s time to turn to the next three. With expectations and leverage outpacing the growth of the salary cap, one of these high-priced quarterbacks eventually will hit the open market.
Unless they follow the lead of St. Thomas of San Mateo.
Which isn’t likely.