This week, Colin Kaepernick and the San Francisco 49ers agreed on a six-year contract extension that is reportedly is worth more than $110 million with $13 million guaranteed. It is a contract that many experts will claim was a good idea because he has taken San Francisco to the Super Bowl. The problem isn’t the fact the 49ers gave Kaepernick a new contract, the problem is the amount of money they gave the young quarterback who hasn’t won a Super Bowl yet during his career.
A look at Kaepernick’s 2013 season stats shows a major disconnect between money and production. Kaepernick threw for 412 yards during San Francisco’s season-opening win against the Green Bay Packers. In his final 15 games, he threw for 2,785 yards or 185 per game. Are those stats for a quarterback that should be paid $14 million per season? They obviously aren’t. San Francisco was smart to lock Kaepernick up to a long-term deal but giving up that kind of money is the equivalent of printing Monopoly money and throwing it in the air. There is also no disputing that Kaepernick is a fun quarterback to watch.
It is true that Kaepernick has at least made it to a Super Bowl unlike several of the other highest-paid quarterbacks around the NFL and he deserves a bump in salary for that fact and $13 million guaranteed isn't too bad but the whole deal is still bad for the game. Kaepernick did take a much lower signing bonus than the other high-priced quarterbacks who haven’t even been to the big game. There is still a major problem going on however.
The league is pricing their fans out of the game with the high salaries. The constant stream of money going out for a family of four to go to a NFL game in this day and age is staggering. There were tickets going on the resale market for over $400 each last season. There are fans that will pay whatever price it takes to go to a game but those fans are older with jobs and disposable income. What about the kids who can’t go to games now? They will get older and realize that it’s better to watch a game on a big screen instead of paying hundreds of dollars for the game day experience. They are already being conditioned to do that.
The NFL and the players should take a step back and think carefully about the money being put out for salaries. The next generations of fans are watching the game from home or on their phones and are not at the stadium. That will mean weakened revenue as the years go on. Kaepernick’s deal is a sign that things aren’t going to change anytime soon.
Another case of a fan only looking at the big numbers in a contract. Take some time and research the particulars of the deal and you would see that its very reasonable
http://mweb.cbssports.com/nfl/write…eresting-details-of-the-colin-kaepernick-deal
Regardless that bitch got paid a massive sum even on his down years.
well, when guys like Cutler, Flacco, and Romo have gotten $100 million contracts, nothing surprises me anymore.
$13M GUARANTEED. Not $61M.
Not only is it reasonable, it's downright brilliant by the management of the 49ers to take advantage of some "agents" that aren't that familiar with doing contracts.
You all make valid points. I’m still not a fan of the deal. Just one guy’s opinion. The cap hits if the contract goes on are ridiculous. However, I’m of the opinion that there should be a cap on how much athletes should make per year at $5 million per year so I’m an outsider on most issues involving contracts.
You completely discredit yourself with the amount of errors in your article, besides the fact it makes you sound like your 17 years old. Capping salaries at $5M/year?? So we should just renounce capitalism? Really sound idea..
Do some background and bring stats. Only thing that matters in the NFL is winning and he has done that. A lot. But if it is stats you like, Kaep was a top 10 fantasy qb with tier 2 and 3 receivers. He cut the 49ers a deal..not the other way around. Good play on both sides to put the focus on performance.
No way in hell Kaep sees all $110 million of the deal. Ever. Like Ward said, it's only a very small amount guaranteed, and it will probably be restructured when/if the 49ers find themselves in cap trouble, in order to reduce the cap hits.
Hopefully, Russell Wilson, RGIII and Luck (and their agents) learn from this…
Kaep got screwed.
hmmm, never heard that one. can't say i agree with it as i am a capitalist pig. there are some other socialists/statists around here that might agree with you though.
If you put a cap on what players make, the extra money goes into the owners' pockets. If the market makes a certain amount of money, the people that consumers pay to see deserve their fair share.
Cap the max earnings and force them the lower the ticket prices!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We need a fans union!!
Ridiculous amount of money its just gonna get worse and worse with how much these guys contracts are.
The NFL is entertainment.. people love to be entertained. That's why the money is out there. If you think its ridiculous, turn off your TV lol
Excuse me, but I thought the $13 million was a signing bonus.
For QBs like RG3, Luck, and Wilson, I expect the contracts will be in the neighborhood of $25 million per year. I heard Schefter say this on ESPN last week.
got to earn his money. if he plays well, he gets paid. if he don't he gets cut and the team don't take a huge cap hit.
I could be mistaken but I think he get 13 million signing bonus and 13 million guaranteed.
Yep, it's a shame more contracts can't get structured like this…pay for play essentially. I think it'd lead to a lot better product on the field in a lot of cases, but unfortunately there's not many players of Kaeps caliber (or their agents) who would be willing to accept similar terms. Kudos to him though, and I sincerely hope he sees every goddamn penny of every goddamn escalator in that contract.
Buts its whats wrong with the NFL today
Well, it is in a way…except for like the exact opposite reasons.
I think he has earned a decent payday. what irks me is those one year wonders that cost teams dearly.
If only the Chiefs would learn from this-not-Alex Smith is due soon-nxt yr
Kaepernick's contract is actually very reasonable.He has to play well to trigger escalators,if he plays poorly he actually loses money.Like Walnuts said,it's pay for performance.
If you really want to see a dumb,over priced contract,take a look at Stafford's contract with Detroit.Dude should be in jail for robbery!