David Johnson to get contract extension

Wait... Can't you just franchise the kid for the next two years for less? What's the incentive for the Cards to do just a 2yr deal? I'd venture to guess a min. 4yr deal is in the works. JMO

I have had the same thought. The difference between a 2 yr extension and a new 4 year deal is 1 year that the team holds the rights to a player. I think for a RB that is 27 now, a 4 year deal puts him in his 30’s. Just using round numbers new 4 year deal let’s say 50 million 22 million guaranteed. Say 13 mil in 2018, 10 mil in 2019 the guarantee has been met in the first 2 years of the deal. Almost half the total has been paid. So in year 3 he’s paid another 10 mil. Leaving 17 mil to be paid in the 4th year of the contract. Which will never happen imo.  Those type of contract just seems so disingenuous. It’s a big number, that makes some players feel more respected. But let’s say that DJ is still productive but not 17 mil worth of production. At that point the team would need to restructure the final year, or cut DJ. My question is why? Why would you set yourself up for a contract dispute, over some big flashy contract number that is  arbitrary at best. I would prefer a 2 year extension that isn’t flashy but is honest. And if DJ is still productive then sign him again (not at 17 mil). Keep it simple and honest. Jmho

Thanks CC, I’d say this guy knows his way around a nfl contract. Appreciate the info.

I disagree, it's more than just politeness to offer him a deal. I also its not crazy to be talking about this now...when he will become an UDFA next season. If we are not proactive in signing him to a deal and making it known we want him here long term, then we risk another team swooping in and signing him next year. 

Also:

1. The whole "the smart thing is to jerk him around and just keep tagging him" is something I totally disagree with. David Johnson is the face of this franchise after Larry retires, and you couldn't ask for someone better. He is an awesome person, humble, well spoken, team first player. There is no reason to say he doesn't deserve some sort of longer term deal simply because he is a RB. 

2. If we go down the road of tagging him, we are talking about massive cap hits that are out of our control and zero injury protection. Signing him to a deal actually gives the Cards way more flexibility than tagging him. 

The question is: Do we want David Johnson on this team for the next 3-4 years. Overwhelmingly the answer is yes. So sign him!!

There is no reason to tie him up right now.  Getting a good team friendly deal could also blow up.  If he signs a new deal and vastly outperforms it he is going to hold out.  We have the leverage.  He will report in great shape and perform or he won't get paid and lose a year on getting paid.  If the team didn't learn anything with HB they will never learn.  David agent is sending a message that they are going to play hardball.  They have no leverage and they are playing hardball.  They will not honor a team friendly deal if he is worth more.  

There's no reason to believe that at this juncture, he's willing to simply accept an addendum. They can, however, come to a longer-term agreement and add a few million to his year one stipend. And it isn't likely that any deal would have a $40M signing bonus, which with the first year salary is the only true guarantee in any contract. He may, however, have so-called guarantees, which added to the signing bonus could be in that range. Generally, these are performance related and if reached, teams are more than happy to pay. Another thing: while the timing of the Badger contract was questionable in hindsight, it had an out clause in the form of a guarantee designed to trigger a review. That's what happened and the Badger turned down the adjusted new offer.