NFL Notes: Tom Brady, Robert Griffin III & Vikings

Tom Brady

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell mentioned during an interview with Today Show that he’s convinced the league made the right decision by suspended Patriots QB Tom Brady for the first four games of the season for his role in DeflateGate.

“Yes, because we went through a very exhausting process with this,” Goodell said, via NFL.com. “We had an independent investigation. We had a federal judge who ruled against it. It went to appellate court. The appellate court at that point in time said, listen, there’s compelling if not overwhelming evidence here. There’s absolutely no question that the destruction of evidence should be considered by the commissioner in the context of this and the process was properly followed. We collectively bargained the process for discipline, we went through that, and I can’t think of an issue that’s been more litigated by the way.”

Robert Griffin III

• Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the base value of Robert Griffin III’s contract is $15 million. However, the agreement includes another $7 million in available incentives, which means the contract could be worth as much as $22 million over the course of two years.
• RGIII will earn $6.75 million guaranteed in 2016, but his total compensation can be boosted by $750,000 if he plays in all 16 games.
• Rapoport mentions that the Browns will face a decision regarding Griffin next March, as he has a $750,000 roster bonus at that point. If the Browns pick up his bonus, RGIII would be paid a $6 million base salary with $750,000 more being available in per-game bonuses.

Vikings

• Vikings HC Mike Zimmer wouldn’t say who will be the team’s starting quarterback next week but added the coaching staff will meet and take it day by day. (Conor Orr)
• Vikings CB Xavier Rhodes was stretching today and heard something pop in his knee. The plan is for him to get a scan on his tonight, but this is believed to be something different from his hamstring issue. (Conor Orr)