NFL players can say they want certain things from a team or their next destination, but Sunday’s series of moves should prove one thing matters most when it comes to deciding on a team.
What, exactly is that one thing?
To quote Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss: “Straight cash, homie.“
In other words, money.
Money is the great equalizer between team and player, and if the team is willing to give out enough of it, it will likely smooth over whatever issue the player might have.
We saw it big-time with Cleveland Browns EDGE rusher Myles Garrett, and to a smaller degree with DK Metcalf reportedly going to the Pittsburgh Steelers and getting a new $150M contract extension.
Based on what we heard about what these players wanted — or were rumored to want — neither option seemed realistic when the day began.
In Garrett’s case, he started the offseason by requesting a trade out of Cleveland because he wanted a chance to chase down a Super Bowl and play for a winning team. There was no subtlety in his public request, and it seemed like his mind was made up on what he wanted.
Then the Browns put a contract on the table that would make him the highest paid non-quarterback in the NFL, and suddenly he was back on board with a “Cleveland to Canton” career path. Nothing about the Browns situation has changed between February and now. They still do not have a quarterback. They still have a roster that won three games a year ago. They still seem like they are far away from a championship.
But now Garrett has a deal that guarantees him $123M and averages more than $40M per year. A person can put up with a lot of losing for that amount of cash.
In Metcalf’s case, word surfaced this weekend that he was looking for a team with quarterback stability and a warmer climate.
Metcalf’s representation clarified after the fact that he never said anything about climate on his list of wants, and that what he really wanted was a new contract and a chance to compete.
