I’ve had requests to comment on Albert Haynesworth turning down a reported four-year, $40 million contract, so here goes. That sounds like a great deal, but… it’s all relative.
First, I believe it’s important to note that the reported $40M offered to Haynesworth is not the most important number to look at. The amount of guaranteed money (primarily the signing bonus and first year base salary) is the number most important to players and their agents. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Unfortunately, we don’t know how much of that reported 40M offer is guaranteed but it’s a safe bet that it’s less than 20M, which is probably in the neighborhood of what Albert was looking for.
Paul Kuharsky reported some of the numbers for the five highest paid DTs this year. According to that list, Tommy Kelly is bringing home 13.6M this year and I’d be surprised if the Titans offered Albert much more than that in guaranteed money, if even that.
Albert was the best DT in the league last year and it’s understandable he wants to be paid accordingly. Given the Titans’ and Albert’s histories, I doubt if anyone is surprised that the Titans and Albert weren’t able to come to an agreement.
I would personally have a difficult time turning down an offer for 10M guaranteed, even if it was insulting to my abilities. But that’s just my own personal value system. Albert feels he’s worth more than what he was offered and I can’t blame him for turning down the offer if that’s how he feels.
Brett Favre turned down 12M to be a backup. These guys live in a different world than most of us, so… it’s all relative. The money is, anyway.
What I’m most interested in is if Albert will bust his butt again this year and have another great season or if his level of play regresses to that exhibited in earlier seasons.
What are your thoughts?
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