The Secondary Market Is Off and Running: Landon Collins to Washington, Justin Coleman to Detroit
The NFL’s secondary market is getting first-rate cash, and that could impact the Bears sooner than later.
Check it out:
Landon Collins just told me he will go to the #Skins.
— ig: josinaanderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 11, 2019
The #Redskins’ deal for Landon Collins is a 6-year deal worth $84M with $45M guaranteed and paid out over the first three years, source said. From the #Giants to their rival.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2019
Washington opened up its wallets for safety Landon Collins and it’s a great contract for the former New York Giants standout. With this deal, Collins gets a ton of cash up front ($45 million in guarantees over the first three years), the opportunity to stick it to his former employers twice a year, and the ability to play where his idol, Sean Taylor, starred before his tragic death. On top of that, Collins gets to be known as the guy who reset the safety market for all the guys who will receive new paper after him.
Surely, those who follow will pay their respects and offer up a tip of the cap where it’s due.
Collins’ landing spot and price was something the Bears were going to need to keep an eye on during the early period of free agency, especially if they intend on bringing back Adrian Amos. The Ringer’s Robert Mays put Amos’ potential market value at four years and $32 million with $18 million guaranteed. That’s a pretty penny for an in-the-box safety, but one that someone will likely shell out after Collins raised the bar for his peers. In addition to the Bears, Mays lists the Colts, Buccaneers, Lions, Titans, and 49ers as possible landing spots for Amos. And we can’t rule out the Broncos, either.
Either way, Amos probably wasn’t going to re-sign for cheap, and I’m not sure slot cornerback Bryce Callahan will either.
The #Lions are signing nickel CB Justin Coleman to a 4-year deal worth $36M, source said. The highest paid nickel in the NFL for the former #Seahawk.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2019
Detroit’s porous secondary looks to be getting some help with the Lions expecting to sign nickel cornerback Justin Coleman to a four-year deal worth $36 million. It would make Coleman the highest-paid slot corner in football, supplanting Tavon Young – who signed an extension that made him the highest-paid player at that position (for a few weeks, at least). Teaming Coleman and Darius Slay could do wonders toward improving a secondary that was torched by Mitch Trubisky and Chase Daniel.
Bringing it back to the present (and not-too-distant future): there’s no doubt Coleman’s deal could impact what happens with Callahan and Chicago. Much like Young’s deal with the Ravens, Coleman’s new contract raises the bar for slot corners around the league – especially since those players are essentially starters in modern football. HOWEVER, this isn’t a 1-for-1 comp.
Coleman is two years younger than Callahan and has been far more durable. Where Callahan has missed 12 games over the last three seasons, Coleman has missed just six in the same time span and played in all 32 games over the last two seasons. To be clear, Callahan is uniquely skilled and has shown to be a perfect fit for the Bears defense when healthy. Unfortunately for him, the one ability that has been lacking has been availability – and that could shave some dollars off his price tag.
