Today the San Diego Chargers announced a new deal for DE Luis Castillo, coming in at more than $43 million for five-years. Castillo will earn $17.5 million in guaranteed bonuses.
To me, the real number that sticks out is the $17.5 mil in bonuses. As many know, NFL contracts are hardly ever guaranteed, unlike the NBA. Castillo will have to make the team each year during the life of his deal to take home the full amount. His talent is unquestioned and he is still fairly young, but how often do we see NFL teams sign players to long-term contracts but fail to live up to them? The familiar scenario is sign him now, he plays a few more seasons, then declare he is too expensive to keep and release the player. This happens over and over.
It's because of that why the solid amount is the guaranteed money up front. Who knows if he'll ever see the remainder? Many fans like to complain when a star player holds out for more money, but I really can't fault them much since they have to get what they can, while they can. It is entirely different than say, an NBA player who is guaranteed money whether he's on the team or not. If an NFL team can cut a player loose because they don't want to commit to the salary, then on the other side the player should be allowed to re-negotiate as he sees fit.
There have been many players who've entered the league with a low salary only to produce on the field and deserve to be paid more. I used to think,"hey, if you signed the contract you should live up to it," but again, if it isn't guaranteed money then the contract really isn't good for much.
A good example of a Charger who came in earning a low amount (well, for NFL players) but excelled is Antonio Gates. As is often told, Gates did not play football in college and was an All-American basketball selection at Kent State. He went undrafted in the NFL but the Chargers scooped him up as a free agent. His rookie season he had decent production but in his second campaign, he became a First Team All-Pro and record-setter. So you tell me, should he have kept playing for a very low amount or re-negotiated for more?
Well, after that 2004 season Gates did hold out. As a result, he received a three-game suspension but finally inked a six-year, $24 million deal. Gates missed the opener at home vs. the Dallas Cowboys, which the Chargers narrowly lost. As fans it was hard to accept his absence in that game, because it partly contributed to the club missing the playoffs by a game. However, in retrospect it's turned out to be a good deal for both sides as he's since went to make the Pro Bowl every season since.
In Castillo, the Chargers have a potential Pro Bowl player who is an integral part of their defense. It's great his extension did not come after a lengthy holdout like Gates. However, I'm guessing that a few years down the road they may feel differently about him, like many teams do regarding players in long-term contracts. If he gets released some time along the way, then it's doubtful he sees $43 million. That is why the guaranteed bonus is perhaps the real measure of the contract.
Keywords: San Diego Chargers
