Jimmy Graham/Saints Close To Contract Agreement
There are multiple reports that Jimmy Graham and the Saints are nearing a contract agreement that will make Graham the highest-paid NFL tight end, although no terms have been revealed as of yet.
Jimmy Graham recently put in an appeal for an arbitrator’s ruling that said Graham was a tight end, not wide receiver and needs to be franchised-tagged as being a tight end. What’s the difference in price between the two designations? It’s $5.27 million. That’s $5 million more than Graham wanted to walk away from without some kind of big fight.
The deadline to have a long-term deal in place is 3 p.m. Tuesday CT.
With Graham filing the appeal, a deal doesn’t look to happen. And, if there is no long-term deal in place, he is unable to negotiate his new contract until the next season.
Graham was given some advice from the NFLPA, regarding his opportunities at the end of the arbitration ruling that came from special master Stephen Burbank. The heart of the decision came from the distance from offensive tackle that Graham lined up repeatedly and is various duties from the position – pass-catcher along with pass and run blocker.
Sean Payton, the coach for the Saints, was among others who testified for support of the Saints.
In 2013, Graham made $1.3 million in the last year of the rookie contract. It’s not known specifically what he wants, but it’s believed to be around $12 million. It’s possible the two parties can come up with an agreement between that and $7 million for the tight end. However, unless something happens between now and the deadline Tuesday, no decision is going to be made until the season is over.
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