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Gathering Moss SI's Banks: Vikings star is highest-paid receiver
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (CNNSI.com) -- Randy Moss, who has been seeking the largest contract in pro football, has agreed on a new deal with the Minnesota Vikings. Sports Illustrated's Don Banks reports it is an eight-year, $75 million contract which includes an $18 million signing bonus. "I've been planning on this day for a long time and it is finally here and now I can concentrate on one thing and that is football," Moss said. "Security for me and my family is now here. Last, but not least, I would like to give a big thanks to God for making my talent and my name stand out and being able to keep me healthy so that I could be in this position." Moss, entering the final season of his four-year, $4.4 million rookie deal, was looking to become the highest-paid player in the NFL. Instead, he will be the highest-paid wide receiver. New England Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe signed the league's biggest contract this offseason, a 10-year, $103 million deal that topped Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre's 10-year, $100 million package.
Moss' deal averages $9.4 million a year, while Bledsoe's deal averages $10.3 million. Moss has been seeking a deal commensurate with Bledsoe's. He said in June that it would be "reasonable" to expect a signing bonus between $18 million and $20 million and an overall package of about $100 million. "Signing Randy Moss to a long-term contract is a great day for all of the Vikings family," Vikings owner Red McCombs said. "In addition to being one of the league's premier players, Randy is a premier person who has represented the Vikings well in the past three years." Moss led the Vikings last season with 1,437 yards on 77 catches. He scored 15 touchdowns. In three seasons, Moss has 226 receptions, 4,163 yards and 43 TDs. "We all appreciate all the great things that Randy Moss has done for the Vikings in his first three years," Vikings head coach Dennis Green said. "This new contract ensures that Randy will be performing at the same outstanding level for the Minnesota Vikings for the next eight years. Randy is only 24 years old and is only going to get better as time goes on."
The Vikings open training camp July 29, and McCombs had said he wanted to have an extension before the regular season opened. "By making Randy [one of] the highest-paid [players] in the NFL, the organization has secured Randy's and the Vikings' future," said agent Dante DiTrapano. Early this season, after a 41-0 loss to the New York Giants in the NFC Championship Game, Moss had suggested his future might be elsewhere. "I'm going to have a Super Bowl ring," Moss said. "I'm not worried about that. I doubt if it's in Minnesota. I can't really say I'm going to be a Minnesota Viking in a couple of years. Hopefully, I would like to win one for coach Green, but I really can't tell the future."
Moss had one year left on a four-year deal that would have paid him a base of $3.5 million this season. Moss' deal could in the future further complicate the Vikings already-tight salary-cap situation, which forced the team to let go of three starters this offseason -- defensive linemen John Randle and Tony Williams and linebacker Dwayne Rudd. "We've planned for this," Green said. "We'll sign everybody we think we have to have on this football team." Green said he never expected a problem. "The sooner the better," Green said. "He's excited. This is where he wants to play."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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