Maclin Won't Be Taking A Pay Cut

By Paul Wanecski

Keeping this brief, Buffalo Bills fans, if you expect newly available wide receiver Jeremy Maclin to sign a contract for anything less than $10 million this season, you are about to be very disappointed. Why should he sign for anything less?
The 29 year old is not looking for the Terrell Owens treatment, signing a one-year deal to "re-establish" value. Maclin was cut because of his salary, not because of talent or performance. Looking at this situation through his eyes, the free agent market is not forgiving to 30 year old players coming off a one-year contract. Maclin will want at least 3 years and if a team can't offer that, it will need to basically guarantee his entire contract, ensuring he gets his money. Honestly, the Balitimore Ravens are a better fit for Maclin if he is looking at a shorter term contract.
​Would his base salary really need to be guaranteed? Maclin is a "vested veteran", which means if he is on the roster for week one of the season, his contract becomes guaranteed. Obviously, if a new contract were to feature more than two years, the third and after would contain little guaranteed salary.