Janikowski contract could impact Reed negotiations
The Oakland Raiders have done it again, handing out another contract that is way out of line with the league’s pay scale. Last offseason the Raiders signed CB Nnamdi Asomugha to a three-year $45 million contract (one that could be worth up to $50 million, with $28.5 million guaranteed). Around the same time, Oakland made P Shane Lechler the highest paid punter in league history, signing him to a four-year $16 million contract. No doubt, Oakland has to overpay players to keep them from testing unrestricted free agency, but these contracts were (and are) insane.
Now ESPN is reporting that Raiders PK Sebastian Janikowski has agreed to a four-year $16 million contract, with $9 million guaranteed (which almost seems like a bargain compared to the Lechler deal). Nevertheless, Janikowski’s terms seem likely to create problems for the Steelers, who are in the midst of negotiations with their placekicker, Jeff Reed. There’s no way that the Steelers will pay Reed $4 million a year, nor should they. While Reed is a more accurate kicker than Janikowski (at least in terms of field goal percentage) and typically kicks under more difficult conditions, Janikowski has a much stronger leg, making him an asset (instead of a liability) on kickoffs, and enabling him to attempt field goals that Reed wouldn’t dream of attempting.
At any rate, the Janikowski deal could prevent the Steelers from re-signing Reed, forcing the team to look for a potential replacement in the draft.
Jason is editor of Failure magazine.
Great point Jason. That was my concern the second I saw the Raiders move to keep Janikowski. It just inflated the kicker market.