Witten contract is in: 1 yr, $3.5mn

[Cowboy Brian]

I wouldn’t pay Hurns or Crawford. Neither is worth it. Crawford is making 10 million in 2019 and we’re still looking for the dominate 3-technique he was supposed to be.

Still can't believe he got that contract.

Fortunately, 10mn in 2019 is not what it was in 2013. 10mn of the estimated ~195mn cap is not that bad. Absolutely insane how high inflation in NFL salaries is. Has to slow down or reverse at some-point... They should at least expand roster size to 55. I mean, come on.

 

[Outlaw Heroes]

Repeat post for relevance -

Barely even paid as a salary.

Assuming a salary cap of 190mn (likely will be closer to ~195mn) - 190 / 53 = $3.65; meaning on an average basis, he isn't making the amount of money pegged to a single roster spot. Starters inherently are paid a premium, he is paid below the raw average. This is about as good of a deal as possible. Swaim probably would've cost at least 3.5-4mn a season on a 3 year contract.

Leaving aside that you’ve ignored the incentives (which could push him to $5M, destroying your argument) that’s a very odd calculus to be employing. Who cares what the average salary per roster spot is? It’s an irrelevant number employed by precisely nobody in determining how individual players should be paid.

As against that, I’ve pointed out that he will be the 22nd highest paid TE by AAV. So essentially he’s getting starting TE money for part-time play. That is not ‘about as good a deal as possible’ given that a number of starters across the league will be paid less while seeing much more playing time.

Your assertion that Swaim would get starter money is just that: an assertion, both unverifiable and frankly unlikely given what other TEs in the league get paid.

 

[Nightman]

I just can't get through to you, your mind is made up. Yeah, Witten isn't at his peak, but even "down" Witten is better than a large % of TEs in the league. You're talking about an undisputed top 3 TE of all-time, arguably #1. That legacy landed him the best job in the football universe, don't think he is desperate for $, and don't for a second believe he has lost sight of his legacy. To him, he wants that ring, and he wants to solidify his stats to prove he should be considered #1 of all-time at TE. I can't possibly imagine he shows up not ready to give it 100%. I would bet on an up-season, particularly if we lose the comfort zone of Beezy for Dak, and would estimate ~750 yards against 6-7 TDs.

At absolute worst, Witten is a positive veteran locker room presence and a boost in 3rd and short and in the red zone as well as near FG range need 2-6 yards for comfort type plays. That alone is worth the $3.5mn.

Witten was 1 for 13 on 3rd and 7 or more
He was 7 for 14 on 3rd and 4 or less

Jarwin was 5 for 10 on 3rd and 7 or more
He was 4 for 6 on 3rd and 4 or less

 

[Cowboy Brian]

Leaving aside that you’ve ignored the incentives (which could push him to $5M, destroying your argument) that’s a very odd calculus to be employing. Who cares what the average salary per roster spot is? It’s an irrelevant number employed by precisely nobody in determining how individual players should be paid.

As against that, I’ve pointed out that he will be the 22nd highest paid TE by AAV. So essentially he’s getting starting TE money for part-time play. That is not ‘about as good a deal as possible’ given that a number of starters across the league will be paid less while seeing much more playing time.

Your assertion that Swaim would get starter money is just that: an assertion, both unverifiable and frankly unlikely given what other TEs in the league get paid.

Well, let's table this for now and see what Swaim, coming off a season-ending injury lands in FA. I would bet it's in the ~3-4mn range. Then we can discuss long-term Swaim vs Witten serving as a stop-gap to let Schultz and Jarwin develop in advance of 2020 when we have more firepower to land a top TE in the draft.

Re: incentives... if he starts hitting them, obviously he's doing something right, negating your argument.

Re: average salary per roster spot.... it is a good metric to demonstrate the inflation in NFL salaries. In 2011, average salary per roster spot was $2.2mn.... vs $3.65mn today... that was the point I wanted to show. Salaries are going nuts, and outside of the headlines re: QB major contracts, people aren't realizing that this also trickles down to the rest of the roster over-time.

 

[TheCount]

Take drink and let it go.

I let it, and him, go.

He's the one having trouble moving on apparently.

 

[bb721]

All of you guys loving this are gonna hate it when we’re throwing 5 yard passes to Witten half the game.

He’s never averaged less than 8.9 yards per catch in his entire career.

 

[Cowpolk]

The team just got better

 

[Rockport]

The team just got better

Exactly. I bet #82 is already at the Star working out setting the example. Ignorant fans don’t get the leadership aspect.

 

[Cowpolk]

Exactly. I bet #82 is already at the Star working out setting the example. Ignorant fans don’t get the leadership aspect.

Wittens off season workout is tougher than training camp he never gets out of shape

 

[Swanny]

They aren't going to learn from Witten, unless he's changed his approach.

Witten is notorious for taking the Peyton Manning approach, no one else gets a rep and he doesn't coach anyone up at his position because he's top dog and they aren't stealing his job.

If he wanted to teach, he'd have come back as a consultant or coach, not a player.

Plus, I'm still annoyed at him for leaving the team in the lurch the way he did. He certainly wouldn't be coming back if he had killed it in the booth.

Witten will be our next HC.... Book it

 

[Cowboy Brian]

Exactly. I bet #82 is already at the Star working out setting the example. Ignorant fans don’t get the leadership aspect.

100%

On that alone, if he never ever played a down this season but was a healthy locker room & practice guy / pseudo-coach, this is a bargain at $3.5mn

These kids and the vets all respect him. The minute he works in that locker room, he'll have their respect.

Let's see what he does with it.

 

[cowboy_ron]

All of you guys loving this are gonna hate it when we’re throwing 5 yard passes to Witten half the game.

That would be great..........moves the chains every two downs.

 

[Cowboy Brian]

That would be great..........moves the chains every two downs.

Except he has never had a season with less than 8.9 yards per catch.

Moves the chains about 80% more!

 

[cowboyec]

Welcome Back Witt...Welcome Back.
is it Sept. yet???

 

[lukin2006]

Yep

Heck, we're paying Hurns $6mn this season.

No rational reason people should be upset by this. Lets Jarwin and Schultz learn from Witten for a year, if neither emerges, address TE in the 2020 draft. Immediately an upgrade in blocking and receiving. All around A+++ move at $3.5mn

And Witten will be far more productive that Hurns, even at 37.

 

[lukin2006]

I'm fine with Witten coming back. You never know, part-time TE in 2018, head coach in 2019...lol

 

[Keithfansince5]

All of you guys loving this are gonna hate it when we’re throwing 5 yard passes to Witten on 3rd and 7 plays half the game.

Fixed it for ya

 

[DCowboyz]

Wow, a lot of people hate this move. I honestly think it's like I mentioned in another thread, he's coming to become a coach in 2020. It never hurts having a HOF TE on the sidelines. I'm good with bringing him back.

 

[reddyuta]

I am sorry but this is dumb and pathetic and not done by a team looking to win the SB.

 

[RamziD]

Except he has never had a season with less than 8.9 yards per catch.

Moves the chains about 80% more!

Perfect. All we have to do is throw him the ball 8-9 times in a row every series and we’ll score a TD every single time! We’re going to be unstoppable...watchout NFL!