Now that the Denver Broncos have re-signed Champ Bailey to a four-year deal, the market for free agent cornerbacks like Nnamdi Asomugha and Johnathan Joseph is beginning to get a little clearer.
ESPN’s John Clayton reports that Bailey extension will pay him $22 million guaranteed along with with $15 million due in 2011 and $7 million in 2012. The contract could end up being a total of $47 million but the last two years are not guaranteed.
If Bailey is worth just over $11 million for four-years, Nnamid Asomugha could figure to more than that due to the fact that he’s three years younger than Champ. Asomugha could command a deal in the range of $50 – $55 million over four-years and could even get a fifth-year option through in.
Bailey’s deal will also effect Johnathan Joseph’s price tag which could be close to or just less than the deal that Denver gave to Champ. Joseph will only be 27 next year so his age will help the total value of his contract. ESPN AFC North blogger James Walker writes that Josephs agents understand this much.
“The timing of Bailey’s deal helps Joseph more than it helps the Bengals. Joseph, like Bailey, is not in the category of Darrelle Revis and Nnamdi Asomugha but fits somewhere in that next tier. If Bailey is worth $11 million per season, you have to believe Joseph’s representation feels their client is worth $8-$10 million per season. Over the past two years Joseph, 26, has more interceptions (nine) than Bailey (five) and is seven years younger.”
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How is Bailey not in the category of Revis or Nnamdi?!?! He’s an original. He doesn’t get the stats because not many throw in his direction. Sure he’s getting older, but he is still up there!
I agree you on the subject of Champ Bailey. The only knock on him is his age which hasn’t amounted to any decline in his performance so far. The same was said about Charles Woodson who wound up winning the Defensive Player of the year last year so it’s unfair to Bailey to start writing him off.