Ben wasnt in his rookie contract when the Steelers beat Arizona
I heard a GM (forget which one) once talking about big QB contracts and whether it hurts a team. He said that if he's a star player it never hurts the team. Star players make others better. So you can get by with cheaper players at other positions. Not just for QB but any big contract.
TJ Watt's salary doesn't matter so long as he produces at this level. It means the other pass rushers don't have to be studs to be productive because Watt demands extra attention. If you have a lockdown CB it means you can give more help to your lesser CBs.
Manning and Brady's contracts never hurt their teams.
The problem isn't paying star player. The problem is paying above average guys as if they are stars. Particularly at QB. That's why so many teams go downhill after paying a big contract to the QB, because he doesn't lift those around him enough. They still need to surround him with other stars and that's when the money runs out.
The league is suffering from group think on QBs. It all started with Flacco. Until then only great QBs were getting huge contracts. Then Flacco won a SB and the ravens were in a bind. How could they not keep their SB winning QB? Especially after they cut losse their last SB winner Trent Dilfer in favor of a high priced free agent Elvis Grbak.
Once Flacco got that big payday it was as if every team and even the media decided that the position of QB gets paid a shitload of money almost regardless of the player.
The Cowboys were smart to wait and see on Dak. The media was practically having a riot demanding they pay him whatever he wants. The cowboys ultimately caved and paid Dak a huge contract. They made the offense more pass heavy and Dak was up and down.
Cousins keeps getting big paydays and nobody bats an eye.
The Browns were smart to not pay Baker a huge contract. He's been mostly good. Sometimes flashing his potential but never taking that next step. But going all in on Watson is a huge gamble. He's had his moments but he's also gotten to play in lots of garbage time where you can rack up stats.
Browns are all in now. Watson needs to be a star and not just pretty good or his contract will sink this team.
