Tag: contract extension

Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics agree to largest extension in NBA history: 5 years, $315 million

With that settled, the Celtics front office can turn their attention toward the few remaining issues left to take care of in terms of free agency.

In the midst of a very busy business day for the Boston Celtics that saw them sign Celtics point guard Derrick White to a very team-friendly extension and news break that a majority share in the team’s ownership was for sale, Boston’s front office also managed to extend star forward Jayson Tatum to the largest deal in league history in terms of dollars.

According to Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes, the “Celtics and star Jayson Tatum have reached an agreement on a five-year, $315 million supermax extension with a player option” on the final year of the deal. The move now makes Tatum not only Boston’s highest-paid player, surpassing teammate Jaylen Brown, but also the owner of the most remunerative deal ever signed in league history.

With that settled, the Celtics front office can turn their attention toward the few remaining issues left to take care of in terms of free agency, with the future of players like Oshae Brissett, Xavier Tillman Sr., and Svi Mykhaliuk.


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How will the Boston Celtics approach Derrick White’s looming free agency?

The Colorado native has truly come into his own since being dealt from the San Antonio Spurs to the Celtics.

How will the Boston Celtics approach Derrick White‘s looming free agency? The Colorado native has truly come into his own since being dealt from the San Antonio Spurs to the Celtics part way through the 2021-11 NBA season, becoming one of the best do-everything players in the league.

While he may not have star-level production in any one area, taken together, his collection of elite defensive and playmaking skills and complete offensive package has made him an invaluable part of Boston’s starting unit. And while the Celtics may not need to get this extension done if they’re okay risking him hitting free agency, it would be poor roster management to risk losing him for nothing if an extension can be had.

And if you ask HoopsHype’s Mark Deeks, White more than deserves the pay boost.

“As a 3-and-D star with positional versatility and secondary playmaking on top, White deserves a big raise (…), likely to something much closer to the four-year, $135 million pact that Jrue Holiday received last season,” writes Deeks.

“With the new CBA’s ability to start the first season of extended contracts at 140% of the salary of the final season of the contract being extended, up from 125% – and thus a 2025-26 salary of $28.1 million – the Celtics can almost get to that figure.”

And they absolutely should, if White would sign it.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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What’s the one move the Commanders should make ahead of training camp?

What’s the one transaction the Commanders should make before camp starts?

We are just over three weeks away from the Washington Commanders’ rookie class reporting to training camp. Washington rookies will report on July 18, with the veterans returning on July 23.

This is the quietest period of the year for the NFL, as players, coaches and front offices take in a few weeks of vacation before the grind of a new season begins. It’s also a relatively quiet time for transactions.

The Commanders had a busy offseason, adding over 20 players in free agency and 20 more via the NFL draft and undrafted free agents. Washington still has holes and could use a quality starting offensive tackle, which may be difficult to find.

Are there any other moves the Commanders make before they report to training camp next month?

ESPN’s Aaron Schatz recently named one transaction each team should make before camp starts. His suggestion for Washington: Sign ascending right guard Sam Cosmi to a new contract extension.

The Commanders’ biggest need is a kicker, but there aren’t any good kickers on the market now that UFL star Jake Bates has signed with the Lions. So the Commanders’ kicker is likely to be someone cut by another team at the end of training camp. In the meantime, they do need to start looking at their 2025 roster, and it would be a good idea to lock up Cosmi long term. Cosmi was 14th in pass block win rate among guards last season and also above average in run block win rate. He’s the best player on the Commanders’ offensive line, and his contract is up after this year.

This would be a wise move. Washington was so bad last season that others didn’t recognize Cosmi’s growth. While several players had a down year, Cosmi ascended in his first year at guard. The former second-round pick has found a home at right guard, and if the Commanders do not get a deal done before the season, Cosmi will be expensive next March.

Oklahoma Sooners, Brent Venables agree to contract extension per report

According to a report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Brent Venables and Oklahoma have agreed to a contract extension.

In December of 2021, the Oklahoma Sooners found their guy. [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] was hired as the answer to get the Sooners ready for their move to the SEC. Established as one of the best defensive coordinators in the game, the University of Oklahoma handed the keys over to the first-time head coach.

Now OU is doubling down on their belief in Brent Venables. According to Pete Thamel of ESPN, Venables and Oklahoma have agreed to a new six-year contract, pending Board of Regents approval. The new contract adds two years on to his previous deal.

According to Thamel, the extension will come with a raise from the $7.1 million a year he made in 2023.

In 2023, Oklahoma improved by four wins, and the defense improved by nearly a touchdown per game. Oklahoma’s been one of the better recruiting programs in the country during Venables’ tenure, earning three top 10 classes since his arrival in 2021.

As the Oklahoma Sooners enter the SEC, they have stability for the future as they lock down their head coach for the long run.

Update

Mason Young of the Tulsa World provided the details to the extension from the Board of Regents meeting.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.

On Derrick White looking for a contract extension with the Boston Celtics

How could this impact Boston’s strategy and financial planning moving forward?

Starting Boston Celtics point guard Derrick White is anticipated to pursue a contract extension with the Celtics this summer, as reported by Marc Stein in a recent edition of his “Stein Line” Substack newsletter. Despite the potential financial hurdles posed by the current collective bargaining agreement, the Celtics are reportedly open to the idea of extending White’s contract, according to Brian Robb.

CLNS Media reporter Bobby Manning and Celtics Blog Boston beat writer Noa Dalzell have discussed this development from Celtics practice, providing insights into how this extension could impact the team’s strategy and financial planning moving forward.

Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear what they had to say about the prospect of extending White.

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

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Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Teven Jenkins says ‘nothing is on the table’ for Bears extension

Teven Jenkins has said he wants to a Bear for a long time, but he’s still waiting for the team to engage in contract negotiations.

It’s been quite the journey for offensive lineman Teven Jenkins ever since he became a member of the Chicago Bears. The former second-round pick was supposed to be the team’s franchise left tackle, then experienced a regime change, moved to right tackle, was supposedly on the trade block, and finally settled at guard, where he became one of the league’s better interior blockers.

Despite the rollercoaster early on, Jenkins found a home on the offensive line and is being counted on for the 2024 season as the Bears usher in a new offense and a new era. But anything beyond that is very much up in the air.

Jenkins said as much on Wednesday afternoon following Day 2 of Bears minicamp practice. Meeting with the media, Jenkins was asked if he had talked with the team about a possible contract extension as he is entering the final year of his deal. “Yeah, we reached out,” Jenkins said, but quickly made it clear where things stood. “Nothing is on the table.” A follow-up was asked on where things stood with him and the current administration. “Up in the air, can’t tell you,” Jenkins said while shaking his head.

According to Jenkins, one side is talking about wanting to do a deal. The question is, when will general manager Ryan Poles follow up? Jenkins is the next player in line for an extension, and he has excelled at guard when healthy. That’s the issue, though.

Since coming into the league back in 2021, Jenkins has started just 24 of 51 possible games due to injuries. He’s dealt with back issues, a neck injury, and lower body injuries, including one that kept him out of the team’s first four games last season. Jenkins knows he hasn’t been on the field enough and mentioned that as his top goal this upcoming season. “Stay healthy. That’s No. 1, and that’s of the utmost importance for me right now. Stay healthy, get through the whole 17 games, and continue my strong play from last year and be a more consistent, reliable guy.”

Jenkins has the potential to be a Pro Bowl guard if he can stay on the field. He allowed just three sacks all year in 2023, with two of them coming in the final game. He’s developed into a mauler in the run game and has been the team’s top interior lineman the last two years, despite moving from the right side to the left in 2023.

Poles hasn’t been shy about giving out extensions, even to the players he didn’t select. Tight end Cole Kmet and cornerback Jaylon Johnson both inked new four-year deals within the last 12 months, despite being selected by the previous regime. And while Kmet has been the team’s Iron Man, Johnson has dealt with his own health issues, which could have been one of the reasons for the holdup. Poles and Jenkins may have had a rocky start to their relationship, but things appear to be much better going into Year 3 together.

The Bears clearly need Jenkins to solidify the interior of their offensive line, given the constant shuffling that has been happening. If he can just stay healthy, there’s a much better chance of a deal getting done. And it’s not like Jenkins wants to go anywhere, either. “I want to be a Bear for a long time,” he said in an interview last month. Hopefully, the feeling winds up being mutual.

Justin Jefferson’s contract extension is comparable to legends before him

Justin Jefferson is well on his way to being one of the best wide receivers of his generation, both on the field and financially.

Justin Jefferson is well on his way to being one of the best wide receivers of his generation, both on the field and financially.

Jefferson and the Vikings have agreed to four-year, $140 million extension, which was reported Monday.

Bill Barnwell of ESPN pointed out that the Vikings financially locked Jefferson into a deal comparable to those that legends at his position before him had. The money per year is, of course, higher, but the percentage of the team’s salary cap remains similar.

Barnwell points out that Jefferson’s contract takes up 13.7% of the Vikings’ cap. It aligns with the deals that Larry Fitzgerald signed with the Arizona Cardinals in 2011 and Calvin Johnson with the Detroit Lions in 2012.

Those contracts were both for eight years compared with the four years that Jefferson got. The Vikings’ overall salary cap total is also greater over a shorter period of time.

To Jefferson’s benefit, however, his deal comes when he is much younger than Fitzgerald and Johnson were when they got their extensions. Jefferson will turn 25 this month, while Fitzgerald was 28 and Johnson was 26 at the time of their deals.

Mental, physical traits make Justin Jefferson deserving of his new contract

The Vikings extended Justin Jefferson on Monday to record-setting contract. Touchdown Wire makes points regarding his massive extension.

The Minnesota Vikings extended Justin Jefferson to a record-setting contract on Monday. Doug Farrar of Touchdown Wire makes several points regarding his worthiness for the massive extension.

Justin Jefferson has established himself as the best wide receiver in the NFL in just four years of being in the league. He is dominating during a time when the wide receiver position had an influx of talent that hadn’t been seen before. He separates himself with mental and physical traits that make him a complete football player, not just a wide receiver.

Doug Farrar of Touchdown Wire makes several points about what allows Jefferson to dominate NFL defenses. He cites his vertical ability, nuanced approach to the position, winning contested catches, and picking up extra yards after the catch.

All of those are traits that if you hope you can find in a wide receiver. If a player has one or two of those, you are overjoyed. But when you find someone who does all of that, you know you have a special talent.

Jefferson’s contract makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. The film and traits he shows he possesses make him worth every penny of the deal.

Miami Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle lands three-year extension

Miami Dolphins lock former Alabama WR Jaylen Waddle up for three more years as part of $8475m deal

Two of the top priorities for the Miami Dolphins this offseason have been to sign former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and wide receiver [autotag]Jaylen Waddle[/autotag] to contract extensions. While Tagovailoa’s deal is still a work in process, the Dolphins and Waddle were able to come to an agreement on a three-year deal worth up to $84.75 million with $76 million being guaranteed.

Waddle was the No. 6 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft and has been an absolute homerun for the organization and his former college QB. Through three years in the league, Waddle has appeared in 49 games, starting all of them, and posting 256 total receptions for 3,460 yards and 18 touchdowns.

In 2022, Waddle led the NFL in yards per reception with 18.1 ypc making him one of the most dynamic playmakers in the league.

Heading into the 2024 season, the Dolphins will have a real chance to win the AFC East after Stefon Diggs departed from the Buffalo Bills and Aaron Rodgers returns from a torn Achilles to the New York Jets.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama football news as the 2024 offseason progresses.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02

Another WR gets paid, and the Amon-Ra St. Brown deal keeps looking better

The Dolphins extended star WR Jaylen Waddle with a big new contract that makes Detroit’s recent deal with Amon-Ra St. Brown look even better

The Detroit Lions continue to do business the right way, in more ways than one. That’s reflected in the blockbuster new contract extension between Miami and star wideout Jaylen Waddle.

The agreement, if the reported details are even close to accurate, makes the Lions management of Amon-Ra St. Brown and his contract extension look even more prudent.

Waddle, one of the wideouts selected ahead of St. Brown in the 2021 NFL draft, will earn $84.75 million on his new three-year extension. Nearly all of that new money, a full $76 million, is guaranteed.

The average of $28.25 million per year comes in below St. Brown’s recent deal with the Lions. St. Brown signed for $120.01 million over four years just before last month’s draft. However, Waddle is getting significantly more guaranteed as a percentage.

Just under 90 percent of Waddle’s deal is guaranteed at signing. St. Brown had $77 million of his $120 million extension guaranteed, or 64 percent. The lower guarantee allows the Lions to more easily spread out the cap hit on St. Brown’s deal than it will be for Miami with Waddle.

Keep in mind the Dolphins are already committed to paying fellow WR Tyreek Hill almost exactly the same contract St. Brown signed for (four years, $120 million). That shows the difference in cap management between Detroit and Miami as well as the Lions’ ability to build a more complete team around their star players.