Rookie Salary System in place

[Ja Rhule]

SI.com's Jim Trotter reports there has been "positive movement on both sides" in Thursday negotiations on the rookie salary system.

NFL Network's Albert Breer confirms that "significant progress" has occurred. The two sides weren't that far apart early in the week on this particular issue, so it could be "solved" by working out a few minor details. The rookie scale was considered the biggest roadblock to a deal. This progress represents a "breakthrough," says Breer.

[HoFBound90]

bout damn time

[weymouthst]

Good news.

Get Cam Paid!

[jtnc]

Don't worry, they'll be something to slow down the negotiations.

[Crixtala]

how does "positive movement on both sides" and "significant progress" translate to a rookie salary system in place?

[Mother Grabber]

This part should have been easy, since neither side wants the rookies to get anything.

[thunderraiden]

Not if you consider the fact that in a few years those same rookies will be voting on weather or not to replace D. Smith as their head rep.

[Lout]

Newton can expect about $22 million over four years. The sides are still negotiating how fifth years will be handled. There’s talk of making the fifth season an option year for first-round picks and Clayton reports there’s talk of a limit on the fifth-year salary, although that could fluctuate a bit depending on where a player was taken in the first round.

Clayton estimates the high end for Newton is probably somewhere around $34 million to $36 million over five years. The other uncertain point is what kind of signing bonus Newton can expect. The Rams structured Bradford’s contract so there wasn’t an official signing bonus, but he more than made up for it with an option bonus of just under $18 million. All the new rules remain to be seen, but Carolina sources are estimating they’ll have to pay Newton a signing bonus somewhere in the neighborhood of $12 million to $14 million.

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/22246/how-much-will-cam-newton-make

[Lout]

Newton is going to make less than half of what Bradford made last season... crazy. But, necessary.

[Bj-Monster23]

Okay breakthrough... So could this mean we could have a deal by 2mar or what...

[Captain Obvious]

Newton is going to make less than half of what Bradford made last season... crazy. But, necessary.

Half the salary for half the ability sounds about right.

Joking, just joking. Go Cam. :ciappa:

[thefuzz]

Still a lot of change, but not as crippling as the Russell/Bradford type deals.

[Ivan The Awesome]

Newton is going to make less than half of what Bradford made last season... crazy. But, necessary.

More money for free agency, right?

[panthers55]

36-40 million is still a ton for a player who has done nothing yet. On the other hand if he turns out great, it will be a steal.