I don‘t get it. So this is essentially a 4 year 35 million dollar deal with 18 million dollar guaranteed that we gave up a 7th rounder for? Why?
Let‘s put aside my problems with his past right now. He is still a 27 year old running back that was the work horse for his old team - his old team was on the verge of cutting him. Now I do believe he has something left in his tank, but I don‘t feel comfortable at all to give him a long term contract. Workhorse RBs switching teams rarely work out.
And we could have just kept his contract - have him for one year at 6 million and make him earn his next contract. Worst case? He leaves in next years FA because another team offers him more than we do. We are already prepared to offer him 9 million a year now without having seen him. I think the chances of someone offering him more than that are slim - and if that happens I would still like our chances after rejuvenating his career.
The only reason I can think of for this is, to make him feel welcome and show him, that we believe in him. But I would 100% prefer the cap flexibility and having him in a contract year.