More than anything else, I think money talks -- at least for a player heading into his final (I'm suggesting) contract. If there's no significant difference, then maybe the ancillary stuff comes into play.
This applies to 99.9% of all players in the league, no need for the disclaimer about him heading into his final contract. Key is if money is close then other things will come into play but it has to be close. It's just not good PR for players to answer the question of what they are looking for by saying $$$$.
I'm surprised people keep falling for the line about prioritizing winning. I know in this thread when he got cut some people were dismissive about him going to certain locations because their outlook looked poor but it's about the money.
In fantasy some of us rank players in tiers. Money is like tier 1 of a FA's wish list, everything else is tier 2 or less.
The money isn't just a contract for him.
He sees JJ Watt buying a futbol team with his wife. His wife has something to do with this clothing line.
95? 93? Percent of NFL players get divorced within a few years of retiring. If it's soon enough, the ex can show "this much" is what's needed and the life he promised for the kids' bright future. So they get half of everything, the house, and an unbelievable amount of child support and alimony. It's an extremely grim scenario. Years ago, I developed a site for NFL retirees with a message board and signed an NDA so I can't say much. I know- without a doubt- this is every players retirement fear. Lose the game, lose their family.
Moving to a lesser (than a mansion) but very nice home before retiring and establishing businesses seems to be how they keep their families together. Wife is secure with the home, the school, the $ coming in etc.
A lot of their business deals are one n done. Here's five mil to do this. They lose some high percentage in taxes and then have no income til the next. Living somewhere taxes are favorable is big here too.
I can't say enough that this is not just final contract but very real life stuff