The University of Louisville has a long history of players in the NFL. In fact, the program added its 4th NFL MVP honor in 2019 when Lamar Jackson won the league’s honor in just his 2nd season with the Baltimore Ravens. Lamar’s MVP joined Johnny Unitas’ previous 3 NFL MVPs (1959, 1964, 1967).

But while the league honors and awards haven’t changed much, the one thing that has in the NFL: THE MONEY.

Louisville Cardinals will take a total contract value of $199,088,829 into the 2020 NFL Training Camp with $58,675,058 being set to be earned this year from former Cards in the league. Last years blockbuster deal for former UofL Cardinals was DeVante Parker’s new $30,500,000 / 4 Year Deal With the Dolphins.

Big New Deals

This year there were some fantastic new contracts with some BIG NUMBERS:

  • Teddy Bridgewater $63,000,000 / 3 Years
  • Brandon Dunn $12,000,000 / 3 Years
  • Mekhi Becton $18,446,048 / 4 Years

Of course all eyes will be on what sort of $$$$ Lamar Jackson will command as the ‘IT’ player in the NFL with a MVP under his belt and two more years on his rookie deal. The Kansas City Chief’s Patrick Mahomes, also a former MVP set the market this off-season with a 10-Year $450,000,000 contract (granted Mahomes did win a Super Bowl to go along with his MVP).

Contract Years

There are also some Cards coming up on a critical contract year:

  • Sheldon Rankins
  • John Miller
  • Reggie Bonnafon
  • James Burgess
  • Josh Bellamy
  • Josh Harvey-Clemons
  • Senorise Perry

A lot of these guys playing in their ‘contract year’ do so nearly every year. James Burgess & Senorise Perry have been a survivors in the league, while Reggie Bonnafon is in a good spot behind Christian McCaffrey. Sheldon Rankins needs an injury-free/productive season coming off his rookie deal as a 1st round pick. I expect Sheldon to sign a significant deal following the 2020 season.

WATCHING

We are also keeping an eye out for some of our old favorites. Guys like Preston Brown & Eli Rogers will likely get the call this season. Much like Colin Holba did during the 2019 season. And of course Bilal Powell who is currently a free agent for the first time in his long career.

2020 SalaryContract
Details
Teddy Bridgewater
Panthers$14,000,000$63,000,000
3 Years
2020-2022
John MillerPanthers$4,000,000$4,000,000
1 Year
2020
Reggie BonnafonPanthers
$675,000$675,000
1 Year
2020
Sheldon RankinsSaints$7,690,000$12,801,648
4 Years
2016-2020
Jaire AlexanderPackers$3,286,563$12,050,687
4 Years
2018-2021
Mekhi BectonJets$3,353,827$18,446,048
4 Years
2020-2023
James BurgessJets$825,000$825,000
1 Year
2020
Josh Bellamy*
IR
Jets$2,250,000$5,000,000
2 Year
2019-2020
Jamon BrownFalcons 6,583,333 $18,750,000
3 Years
2019-2021
Geron ChristianWashington$1,021,248$3,746,992
4 Years
2018-2021
Josh Harvey-ClemonsWashington$846,078$2,484,306
4 Years
2017-2020
Trevon YoungBrowns$675,000$1,525,000
2 Years
2020-2021
Brandon DunnTexans$3,500,000$12,000,000
3 Years
2020-2022
Tyler HaycraftGiants$610,833$2,287,500
3 Years
2020-2022
Cole HikutiniCowboys$675,000$1,525,000
2 Years
2020-2021
Lamar JacksonRavens$2,583,176$9,471,648
4 Years
2018-2021
DeVante ParkerDolphins$6,100,000$30,500,000
4 Years
2019-2021
Senorise PerryTitans$910,000$910,000
1 Year
2020
$58,675,058 $199,088,829
Watching
Colin Holba
Josh Bellamy
Preston Brown
Bilal Powell
Eli Rogers
Keith Towbridge
Jaylen Smith
Seth Dawkins
Lukayus McNeil
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@UofLSheriff50. Louisville native, University of Louisville Business School Grad c/o 2004. Co-Founder of TheCrunchZone.com

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