The Money Changed How We Think
At worst, they’re the same guy.
Which One?
Quarterback A: Made every start in his five year career with an overall 54-26 record. He’s completed 60.5% of his passes throwing 102 touchdowns (TDs) and 56 interceptions. He has a QB rating of 86.5. He has thrown for 17,633 yards. He has ten 4th quarter comebacks and fifteen game winning drives.
Quarterback B: Started 77 and played in 78 of 80 games in his five year career for which he is 56-22. He completed 62.7% of his passes throwing 127 TDs and 90 interceptions. He has a QB rating of 90.9. He has thrown for 18,957 yards, has sixteen 4th quarter comebacks and 23 game winning drives. I’m leaning towards B.
Playoffs
Quarterback A: Made the playoffs every year of his career with a 9-4 record overall. He’s completed 55.4% of his passes, throwing 19 TDs and 8 inerceptions. He has a QB rating of 117.3, has been to 3 conference championship games and earned one Super Bowl MVP title.
Quarterback B: Made the playoffs every year of his career but with an overall record of 1-4. He’s completed 66.3% of his passes, throwing 9 TDs and 7 interceptions. He has a QB rating of 105.2 and has been to one conference championship. It’s close, but I’m leaning towards A.
The Money
Quarterback A: Signed a 6 year $120.6 million contract extension ($20.1 million per year) with $51 million in guaranteed money. His guaranteed money (signing contract and miscellaneous bonuses) never exceeds $10.55 million in any single year of his contract. $84.45 of the $120.6 million are allocated in the last 3 years of his contract.
Quarterback B: Signed a 5 year $103.75 million contract extension ($20.75 million per year) with $63 million in guaranteed money in the first 3 years of his contract.
Who are They?
Quarterback A: His contract was accompanied with ridicule and scorn immediately after he won the Super Bowl from media and fans alike due to “mediocre” statistics.
Quarterback B: His contract extension was received with praise and fanfare after losing a 17 point lead at home in the NFC Championship game. B was entering the final year of his original contract, this being his greatest playoff success before his contract was extended for his “consistency” in production.
More Similar Than Different
The situation prompting B’s contract extension was similar to circumstances leading to A’s contract extension a year earlier. A was forced to go further to prove himself than B had ever gone to justify his extension (which he has consistently done over their careers). B uses A’s contract as a gauge to then surpass him in compensation despite the close proximity in production, but with a lot less playoff success.
I texted a friend of mine who works in the league as I was watching B’s press conference which looked more like a coronation. We couldn’t get over why the obvious wasn’t asked. Why? Tell me why. Is it the money?
Note: These were the numbers going into the 2013 season for Quarterback A and Quarterback B
