They can pay him whatever they want, I think that's the point. They don't want to pay him double-digit millions per year.
I think the Saints are willing to make the contract "worth" and average of $10M/yr
on paper, though what's really going to matter is the guaranteeed money over the first few years.
What was Gronkowski's deal really worth? I assume the entire $54 million was not guaranteed, and thus he's not going to end up getting $9M/yr over all six years.
TE Rob Gronkowski signed a 6 year extension worth $54 million with the New England Patriots on June 8, 2012. The contract contains $13.17 million in full guarantees and $18 million in partial guarantees. Gronkowski received a signing bonus of $8 million. The Patriots hold a $10 million dollar option in 2016. Gronkowki will receive roster bonuses of $500,000 in 2016 and 2017 and $750,000 in 2018 and 2019 for every game in which he is active and $250,000 workout bonuses in each year of his contract.
http://overthecap.com/cap.php?Name=Rob%20Gronkowski%20&Position=TE&Team=Patriots
Looks like the last two years, or about 17 mill in base salary, could be considered funny money. Gronk received his deal in 2012. At this point, that's a mere starting point for any Graham discussions.
As to making it
look like 10 mill on paper, some funny money on the end of the deal to make his agent look better.....I think Jimmy Graham knows he can do better. Most players settle on the bonus money, and the agent gets the inflated number so he, and his client, can feel better. You could easily make the argument that Graham is as a tough a matchup as there is in the league, and just as dangerous as Calvin Johnson. I think he's gonna get top dollar, and I don't think some wink-wink deal with a nice bonus, and fake money is gonna cut it.
It doesn't
sound Graham is in the mood for a hometown discount, but we really don't know where his mindset is. Frankly, the Saints have already gotten their hometown discount from Graham for the last few years. Jimmy Graham, according to OverTheCap.com has made 3.3 mill in his career to date. If Graham wants to get his market value, I think it's more than fair he expect it.
Thing is, what's his market value? Highest-paid TE? If I am Graham's agent, I would start there, and go up. If Graham plays this year under the franchise tag, and plays as he has been, he's STILL underpaid.
Mike Wallace received 28 mill in the first two years of his deal with Miami. Graham should expect 32, I would say. And Graham knows someone will happily pay him WR money. Question is, is he willing to leave New Orleans, and play out his franchise tag? Of course, there's a chance he could get tagged again.
Maybe that's the smartest move for New Orleans. Tag him twice, then let someone else deal with the cap nightmare.