By John Sarianides
The first day of the new year in the NFL usually features record breaking contracts being handed out to skill guys. Those contracts were given out but it is the money that free agent offensive lineman got that caught my attention.
Several biggies got big money deals. The biggest contract of the day was handed out by the Cleveland Browns who gave former Cincinnati Bengals guard Kevin Zeitler a five year, $60 million dollar contract with $31.5 million of it guaranteed.
Zeitler wasn’t the only one who cashed in. Several other free agent offensive lineman also broke the bank on the first day of free agency. Here is a break down of all of the offensive lineman who signed and what they got.
Kevin Zeitler, OG, Cleveland Browns: 5 years, $60 million ($31.5 guaranteed): Zeitler was the top guard on the market and he got paid as such. He has flown under the radar the past four seasons but people will now find out what most people around the league already knew. Zeitler is one of the best lineman in the game. He is technically sound and physical and he will add an element of toughness to the Browns offensive line.
Joel Bitonio, OG, Cleveland Browns: 6 years, $51.7 Million ($23.7 guaranteed): Bitonio has been one of the few bright spots for the Browns the past four years. He plays with a mean streak and is big and physical at the point of attack. He is also a terrific pass blocker in short areas as well. He is worth the money, trust me.
J.C Tretter, C, Cleveland Browns: 3 years, $16.75 million ($10 million guaranteed): Tretter has been a swing offensive lineman for the Green Bay Packers for the past four seasons. He has played guard, tackle and center. He will play center for the Browns. Tretter is long, lean and technically sound but he can get overpowered at times. Still, he is an upgrade athletically over Cam Erving.
Ricky Wagner, Detroit Lions: (Terms not disclosed): We don’t know the exact terms of Wagner’s contract but he got a hefty raise. What we do know is that he’s getting $9 million per season on his deal. Wagner was one of the best right tackles in the league last season and he capitalized on it by inking the largest contract ever given to a right tackle. He will pay dividends by soliciting a young Lions offensive line.
Riley Reiff OT, Minnesota Vikings: (Terms not disclosed) The terms of Reiff’s contract have to be released but it is not out of the realm of possibility that he got in the neighborhood of $10-12 million per season. Reiff is not an elite left tackle but he is good enough. Especially for a Vikings offensive line that struggled.
Larry Warford, OG, New Orleans Saints: 4 years, $34 million ($17 million guaranteed): Warford was a good player for the Lions. He flew under the radar in Detroit but he was rewarded for his strong play by the Saints. This contract is indicative of his body of work and what other personnel people and coaches around the league think of him.
Russell Okung, OT, Los Angeles Chargers: 4 years, $53 million ($25 million guaranteed): I cannot believe the Chargers gave Okung this kind of money. He is not the player he was three years ago in Seattle. I don’t think he is any better at this point in his career than former Chargers tackles King Dunlap or D.J Fluker. This signing made no sense to me. The Chargers overpaid big time.
Andrew Whitworth, OT Los Angeles Rams: 3 years, $36 million ($15 million guaranteed): Whitworth has been one of the best left tackles in the NFL the last ten years. While he might not be in the conversation with some of the elite left tackles in the game, Whitworth is a very good player and he’s consistent. He will pay dividends for a young Rams team both on the field and in the locker room. He gives them some much needed leadership.
Ronald Leary, OG, Denver Broncos: 4 years, $35 Million ($20 million guaranteed): The Broncos overpaid for Leary but they had to. The offensive line has been an issue for Denver the past two seasons. Leary is a physical run blocker who is also an effective short area pass blocker. He will be a good fit for Denver and what they like to do offensively.
Luke Joeckel, OT, Seattle Seahawks: 1 year, $8 million: Joeckel is banking on Seahawks offensive line coach Tom Cable resurrecting his career. He will probably move back to left tackle which is his natural position. If Joeckel figures things out, he could get a $30-35 million dollar contract in the open market next off season.
Matt Kalil, OT, Carolina Panthers: 5 years, $55 million ($25 million guaranteed): Kalil’s contract is perhaps the best example of how good a day offensive lineman had yesterday. Kalil has been plagued by injuries and inconsistency. It doesn’t matter. He still got paid.
Developing offensive lineman is tough. That is why teams are willing to pay established players. Gone are the days when left tackles were the only ones getting paid. Now all offensive lineman are getting paid. If you think the money that was thrown around yesterday is a lot, wait until five years from now. Offensive lineman will be making $20 million plus per season. It is not as far fetched as you think. Offensive lineman are a precious commodity in today’s game.