Okay, so today I’m gonna walk you through how I dug into Zach Wilson’s salary situation. It was a bit of a rabbit hole, but I think I got a pretty good handle on it.
First thing I did? Hit up Google, obviously. Typed in “Zach Wilson salary” and just started clicking links. ESPN, Spotrac, OverTheCap – you name it, I checked it out.
Initial Findings:
- Rookie Contract: Realized he’s still on his rookie contract, signed back in 2021.
- Four Years: The contract is for four years.
- Big Money: Saw some big numbers being thrown around – total value, signing bonus, that kinda stuff.
Next up, I needed to break down those big numbers. What’s guaranteed? What’s the average per year? How much did he get upfront?
Deep Dive into Contract Details:
- Signing Bonus: Dug around and found out he got a hefty signing bonus. It’s spread out over the life of the contract.
- Guaranteed Money: This is the important stuff. A good chunk of his contract is guaranteed, meaning he gets paid even if he gets cut or traded (within certain conditions, of course).
- Base Salary: This is the year-by-year money. It started low, but it increases each year of the contract.
Then, I wanted to see how his salary stacked up against other quarterbacks, especially other guys from his draft class. So, I did some more digging, comparing his contract to Trevor Lawrence, Trey Lance, and the other QBs picked high that year.
Comparative Analysis:
- Draft Position Matters: It became clear that draft position plays a huge role. The higher you’re picked, the bigger the payday.
- Offset Language: I also tried to peek if his contract had an offset language. Which basically mean if he gets cut and signs with another team, whether the Jets are off the hook for some of his money. Couldn’t nail down that detail definitively though.
After that, it was just a matter of putting all the pieces together. Figuring out the yearly breakdown, how much he’s already been paid, and what he’s still owed. I also tried to project his potential earnings if he plays out the entire contract.
Final Thoughts:
Zach Wilson’s got a pretty sweet deal, thanks to being a high draft pick. Whether he lives up to that contract is another story. Either way, knowing the actual numbers gives you a better understanding of the pressure he’s under and what the Jets are expecting from him. It wasn’t easy, but kinda satisfying to finally see the numbers clearly.
