yep
Non issue really
Dudes gonna sign even if it’s right before training camp
Exactly. Anyone without an agenda knows that it's not simply about the money on these rookie contracts. It's also about the signing bonus terms and even the offset language.
For anyone interested in the details. Here is a good article on the contract negotiations:
Agent's Take: 2023 NFL rookie contract projections for key Round 1 picks, with a rookie wage scale explainer - CBSSports.com
"Generally, quarterbacks have been more successful in getting signing bonus paid in its entirety shortly after signing. In addition to Lawrence in 2021,
Zach Wilson and
Trey Lance, the second and third overall picks, got their $22,924,132 and $22,163,824 signing bonuses paid in a lump sum by the
Jets and
49ers, respectively. Receipt of the money was in a similar timeframe as Lawrence.
The first two picks in 2020 had lump sum signing bonus payments. First overall pick Joe Burrow's $23,880,100 signing bonus was paid within 15 days of signing his contract with the Bengals. Second overall pick
Chase Young got his $22,697,160 signing bonus from the Commanders within 30 days of signing.
Prior to that, 2018 third overall pick
Sam Darnold's entire $20,078,324 signing bonus was payable by the Jets within 15 days of inking his deal. 2019 second overall pick
Nick Bosa got a lump sum payment from the 49ers. His $22,421,356 signing bonus was payable in the same timeframe as Darnold's.
It will be interesting to see whether Bryce Young will be able to extend the lump payment to four straight years with the first overall pick when the Panthers sign him. Carolina has had top 10 picks in each of the last three drafts. None of the players have gotten their signing bonus in a lump sum. For example, 2022 sixth overall pick
Ikem Ekwonu received $12,060,644 of his $17,299,492 signing bonus within 30 days of executing his contract. The remaining $5,168,848 wasn't payable until April 1, 2023.
Signing bonus payment could be also a sticking point with second overall pick C.J. Stroud. Three of the last four players selected second overall (Wilson, Young and Bosa) have gotten lump sum signing bonus payments.
Aidan Hutchinson didn't last year. Half of his $23,153,372 signing bonus was paid by the Lions within 30 days of signing. The other half was received in the middle of September. Hutchinson's payment schedule was essentially the same as 2021 seventh overall pick
Penei Sewell had with the Lions.
The Texans didn't give 2022 third overall pick
Derek Stingley Jr. his $22,385,464 signing bonus in a lump sum. He got $17,908,372 within 15 days of signing. The other $4,477,092 was paid on Dec. 15, 2022.
Conceding the signing bonus payment issue to Stroud could be more problematic for the Texans than it would be for the Panthers with Young. The Texans traded up to the third overall pick to select Will Anderson Jr.. Anderson's representation will surely insist on a lump sum payment if Stroud gets one."