Jerome Simpson says that on the field, he’s much more valuable than the one-year, $1 million contract he signed with the Vikings would suggest. But he knows that off the field he’s viewed as a risk, and that’s why he had to settle for a relatively modest contract.
Simpson was arrested in November on suspicion of DWI, eventually pleading guilty to lesser charges. That was his second off-field problem as a Viking; he previously spent 15 days in jail on a drug charge and was suspended for the first three games of the 2012 season. As a result, when he hit free agency this year, Simpson had to settle for less than half of the $2.1 million he made last year.
“I can’t lie. I was definitely surprised that I get paid less than what I got last year,” Simpson told the Pioneer Press. “I had my best numbers. But I guess when you got that negative thing on you, they kind of got you behind the 8-ball.”
Simpson caught 48 passes for 726 yards last season, and he thinks the Vikings are getting a steal.
“I know I’m worth more than what [his current contract] was,” Simpson said. “But I made my bed, so I got to lay in it. I got to just keep improving and move on and make plays. When it’s time to get paid or whatever and get the contract I deserve, then it’s going to happen.”
If Simpson can improve on last year’s numbers -- and stay out of trouble -- he can expect more money next year.