Two years, $ 28 million for JJ Watt

After two days, the real numbers emerged on the JJ Watt deal with the Cardinals. As one suspects, this is not a two-year, $ 31 million deal.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media (who also ESPN’s Adam Schefter tell the world it was a two-year $ 31 million deal), it is in fact a two-year $ 28 million deal. Some may say it’s not a huge difference. Others may say that $ 3 million is another $ 3 million.

Through Rapoport, Watt gets $ 12 million to sign. The deal has a base value of $ 14.5 million in 2021, with a base value of $ 28 million over two years.

To reach $ 31 million, Watt needs 10 or more sacks in 2021 and 2022. Watt has not had double-digit sacks in consecutive seasons since 2014 and 2015.

The other teams are believed to be in the range of $ 12 million a year for Watt. The Cardinals pay him $ 14 million. Presumably, no one offered Watt between $ 15 million and $ 16 million, despite an ESPN report last week that used those numbers.

Rapoport does not provide any details regarding the fully guaranteed amount upon signature. We believe the first year is fully guaranteed ($ 14.5 million) and that the remaining $ 8.5 million in “guaranteed” money is only guaranteed for injuries for now, with a likely conversion to a guarantee. complete at some point in March 2021. allow the Cardinals to move on, making it a one-year, $ 14.5 million contract, if Watt can pass a physical exam before full warranty is acquired next year.

Which is $ 3 million less than Watt was expected to earn in Houston this year. Again, some may say that is not a huge difference. Others may say that $ 3 million is another $ 3 million.