Potential deal: 4 year/$100 million
Structure: 2020: $20 million, 2021: $23 million, 2022: $26 million, 2023: $31 million
This deal would make Ryan Tannehill the 12th highest paid QB in the NFL next year and potentially lower than that considering how many QBs are set to hit free agency.
I used the Nick Foles deal as a template for this which was 4 years/$88 million, although I obviously added more money to that deal for a few reasons. The most obvious reason is that free agents are more expensive every year, that is just the cost of doing business in the NFL and that is why the NFL has a cap that fluctuates.
Secondly, Nick Foles won a ring with the Philadelphia Eagles before hitting free agency, but ultimately he joined a stacked team and went on a hot streak at the most important time of the year.
We saw exactly why the Eagles were obviously going to stick with Carson Wentz when we saw Nick Foles play, get hurt, play again, and then get benched this year.
Another reason why I would be completely comfortable with this deal is because this coaching staff has seen him succeed in front of their eyes, there is not transition or change necessary.
A signing like Tom Brady makes no sense because you are going to have to change your offense to fit an old quarterback is only going to play for another year, maybe two? No, instead bring back Tannehill who already has chemistry with your young star receiver and who isn’t a diva who needs to throw the ball 50 times a game to feel respected.