Vikings reach agreement on Culpepper contract, including hefty raiseKevin Seifert, Star TribuneAugust 8, 2005 VIKE0808.OLThe Vikings reached agreement today on a restructured contract for quarterback Daunte Culpepper, one that includes a major pay raise.Rob Brzezinski, the Vikings' vice president of football operations, confirmed the deal was struck. He would not reveal specifics but called the pay raise "significant."Culpepper signed a 10-year, $102 million contract prior to the 2003 season. That deal was largely incentive-based, however. Culpepper received a $2.5 million roster bonus in March, but according to NFL Players Association records, his base salary for this season would have been $540,000.The new deal will guarantee Culpepper higher salaries throughout his career with the Vikings."He's a premier player in this league," Brzezinski said.
<span style="colorurple">For now, Culpepper gets "at least" another $2 million in salary in 2005, increasing his base from $540,000. Sean Jensen of The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports that the new agreement also includes $7.5 million in guaranteed money. Apparently, more comprehensive adjustments to the long-term deal might come in the future.And the reality here is that, upon the departure of Randy Moss, Culpepper became the face of the franchise. With the high profile came a big pile of what the French call "leverage."Besides, with the team out from under an obligation to pay Moss $8.25 million in 2006, $9.25 million in 2007, and $11.25 million in 2008, the reality is that there's plenty of cap pie laying around for the best player on the team to gobble up.Sure, he's already received a $102 million deal. But like many contracts that generate big headlines, his existing deal is heavily backloaded. It contained merely (merely?) $15.1 million in bonus money -- less than half of what Manning and Vick received in their new deals.Per the NFLPA web site, Culpepper's salaries over the remainder of his existing deal were set to be as follows:2006 2500000.002007 5500000.002008 6000000.002009 6000000.002010 7000000.002011 8000000.002012 9000000.002013 10000000.00Five years from now, when he's scheduled to make $7 million, Culpepper will be 33. He'll be 36 in the year his salary is set to go to $10 million.</span>
Well at least we willl have him pretty much for shure for quite awile. When are we giving Nate this kinda deal? He will probly retire after this deal as well. Don't you think?
