The Seattle Seahawks and Sam Darnold likely both noticed the money the Indianapolis Colts gave Daniel Jones on Wednesday.
Jones' new contract could have a big impact on what comes next for Darnold.
Darnold came to the Seahawks on a three-year, $100.5 million deal, and in his first year, he led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl title.
When his next contract comes, if his level of play stays even remotely close to this, he's going to get seriously paid.
Just how much? Well, Jones just got $44 million per year on a two-year deal from the Colts that can rise to a total value of $100 million for the two seasons with incentives.
That could mean Darnold is looking at a starting rate of $50 million per year, writes Gregg Bell of the Tacoma News Tribune.
"By the way, QB Daniel Jones getting $44 million per for two seasons to stay with the Colts must make Sam Darnold (currently $33.5M base per yr) grin," Bell wrote. "The Super Bowl winner should get $50M-plus annually next offseason to stay with the #Seahawks."
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Some might view that as a ridiculously high cost, but that's the reality of how the quarterback market works. It's reactionary and comparative. If one guy in a given QB tier gets a certain amount of money, the next guy to get a contract is set to get at least a little bit more.
Darnold and Jones have both followed a fascinating path from apparent draft bust to finding their way in a major manner with a new team.
It hasn't led to a Super Bowl yet for Jones, of course, but it has for Darnold.
Now, it's safe for him to expect his next contract, likely an extension next offseason, to be a huge one.
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