UPDATE (6:32 AM PT): Jimmy Graham has agreed to a four-year contract worth $40 million according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Saints are signing TE Jimmy Graham to a 4-year, $40 million deal that includes $21 million guaranteed, per source familiar with deal.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 15, 2014
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Jimmy Graham battled the Saints over his classification as a tight end earlier this off-season, in an attempt to get paid more money.
Even though he failed, Graham is still in line to get paid, as he and the Saints are nearing a new deal according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter:
Saints and Jimmy Graham closing in on long-term deal to make him highest-paid TE in NFL history. Now optimism deal done by Tues deadline.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 14, 2014
Details on the contract are unknown at this point, but Graham is certainly deserving of a big time pay raise.
The New England Patriots Rob Gronkowski is the highest paid tight end in NFL history with a $54 million contract so it is very likely that Graham’s contract could be worth more than $10 million annually.
Graham has destroyed the NFL since coming being drafted in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft. After not playing much in his rookie season, Graham has been one of the most productive pass catchers in the NFL, catching 270 passes for 3,507 yards and 36 touchdowns over the last three seasons.
Last season was Graham’s best yet as he hauled in 86 balls for 1,215 and a massive 16 touchdowns, leading the Saints to the playoffs, and likely helping many fantasy teams to championships along the way.
Graham is currently appealing the ruling that he is a tight end instead of a wide receiver, but with the deal expected to be done by tomorrow, Graham will likely drop it.
