Richard Sherman might want to cover his eyes.
The San Francisco 49ers cornerback on Monday offered a radically different viewpoint on Cam Newton’s reported one-year contract with the New England Patriots. Instead of praising Bill Belichick, as many did on social media, Sherman called the deal “disgusting” and wondered how a quarterback as talented as Newton reportedly settled for the veteran’s minimum (a $1.05 million base salary) on the open market.
Now, it’s important to note Newton reportedly can earn up to $7.5 million with incentives. But that still would rank 27th among NFL quarterbacks, according to OverTheCap.com, and the move looks like even more of a bargain for the Patriots on Wednesday, in particular.
That’s because July 1 is commonly known as “Bobby Bonilla Day,” the day on which former major league slugger Bobby Bonilla every year gets paid $1.19 million by the New York Mets. (ESPN.com explains why right here.)
Put another way: Bonilla, now 57, hasn’t played in the majors since 2001, yet he’s guaranteed to earn a higher salary from the Mets this year than Newton reportedly is guaranteed to earn from the Patriots.
Cam Newton's 2020 base salary from the Patriots: $1.05 million.
Jameis Winston's 2020 base salary from the Saints: $950,000.
Bobby Bonilla's annual payment due today from the Mets: $1.19 million.https://t.co/31nraQz6lo— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) July 1, 2020
Bonilla, who has and will collect a $1.9 million check every July 1 from 2011 through 2035, also is in line to earn a higher salary this year than reigning Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes. So, it’s not like Newton is alone in being Bonilla shamed.
The difference – for the time being – between former Mets’ outfielder Bobby Bonilla and current Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes. pic.twitter.com/89NNoYJ3vz
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 1, 2020
In fact, when you consider Major League Baseball’s current pay structure and the prorated salaries MLB players will earn in 2020 as part of a 60-game season in light of the coronavirus pandemic, Bonilla will earn more than a lot of high-profile athletes this year.
Just don’t tell Sherman.
