Originally Posted by
Craic
Absolutely not, IMO. Devonta Freeman, in his 2017 contract, is set to make 8.25 million a year average. Lesean McCoy is set to make 8 million a year average. Jerick McKinnon, who signed this year, is set to make 7.5 million a year, average. Fournette, is set to make 6.7 million on average per year.
There is absolutely no way ANY running back—I don't care if it is Franco Harris, Walter Payton, or Jim Brown reincarnated—no running back is worth 17 million per year in this market. Moreover, all that "paid for two positions" is crap. Until he finds a way to line up at two positions at the same time, he should get paid only as a RB. Period. If he doesn't like that and wants to move to WR, great. Do it, put up the numbers, and then get paid WR dollars. But both? Maybe he hasn't kicked his pot habit after all.
For what he's done for this team, I'd offer him an average of 13 million for four years and guarantee the first two years. That's 26 million guaranteed in two years. I'd also be willing to give a signing bonus that spread out some money over the last two years so that guaranteed number hit 30 million over the life of the contract. That is more guaranteed money than anyone else by almost 3 million, and a better average salary per year than anyone else by almost 5 million.