Injury to Vikings LT Christian Darrisaw is latest example why players make a big deal about getting a new contract
There are a lot of aspects to getting a contract extension signed. First, a team needs to want to sign them to a contract extension. Second, the player needs to be receptive of it and third, they need to come to an agreement on a deal. There are numerous elements that need to come together […]
There are a lot of aspects to getting a contract extension signed. First, a team needs to want to sign them to a contract extension. Second, the player needs to be receptive of it and third, they need to come to an agreement on a deal.
There are numerous elements that need to come together for an extension to happen and that can end up forcing players to holdout so they can get that contract. There are some that look down on players who holdout for a contract, but this season has shown exactly why players choolse to make that decision.
Injuries to star players show importance of signing second contracts
Over the last two weeks, we've seen star players go down with season-ending torn ACL injuries. San Francisco wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk was injured last Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs and Minnesota Vikings left tackle Christian Darrisaw was injured Thursday night against the Los Angeles Rams.
Their paths to getting their extensions were significantly different but ended up being really important as they suffered their significant injury not even four months after agreeing to their deals.
Aiyuk's deal was long coming. He was an excellent receiver over his first four seasons and was arguably the most important player on the 49ers offense. He stretches the field and can also deliver a lot of yards after the catch. His presence allows the likes of George Kittle and Deebo Samuel to take advantage of 1-on-1 matchups and exploit the defense.
This offseason, Aiyuk was arguably the biggest story this offseason. He made it well known that he wanted a new contract. Nearly everyday, there was a new story with Aiyuk and a new potential trade offer or contract offer from the 49ers. It drew on throughout the entire preseason when he signed his four-year, $120 million extension on August 30th. It was getting dangerously close to holding out during the season.
For Darrisaw, it was the exact opposite. He is emerging as one of the best left tackles in the National Football League and has drawn comparisons to 49ers LT Trent Williams. Darrisaw dominated just about everyone he played against, including handling a stunt all by himself.
Darrisaw decided to sign a massive four year, $104 million contract extension on July 23rd. There was some discussion about whether or not it was a good idea for Darrisaw becuase he could have cashed in next offseason with a bigger contract.
Back in 2018, the Vikings signed edge rusher Danielle Hunter to a contract under market value and they had issues for years dealing with it. Now, Darrisaw's contract isn't below market value, as he's making around the same amount as Penei Sewell, who also signed an extension around the same time.
Despite both players taking a different path, they secured their financial future before they suffered their serious injuries. It's really important that they got their contracts beforehand. Not having those deals in place could have cost them a significant amount of money when they eventually signed their second contract.
It's likely why Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase was trying so hard to get a new contract this offseason. That security is really important for some players and it ensures that he will get the money he's earned.
It feels smart to wait a year or two to sign that deal because the overall money is greater, but it doesn't matter if you get injured. That's the decision every player needs to make on their own, but the instances of both Darrisaw and Aiyuk might convince other players to sign early for that just in case situation.
Season ending injury to Christian Darrisaw shouldn’t prompt the Vikings to give up on 2024
The Vikings still have the juice
