Bills paying Tarvaris Jackson more than they would have paid Vince Young
Posted by Mike Florio on August 30, 2012, 2:23 PM EDT
The Bills wanted to upgrade their quarterback position, even if it meant increasing the amount of money they were devoting to it.
A source with knowledge of the contract tells PFT that the Bills will pay Tarvaris Jackson a base salary of $1.75 million in 2012. Jackson also receives $15,625 per game that he's on the active roster, which amounts to an additional $250,000, if he's on the active roster for every regular-season game.
Jackson also can earn up to another $1 million, based on playing time and team improvement.
The new contract replaces Jackson's former deal, which would have paid him a total base salary of $4 million in 2012.
In contrast, Vince Young would have received a base salary of $1.25 million, a $300,000 roster bonus if he had made it onto the 53-man roster for Week One, and per-game roster bonuses of $6,250 (for a total of $100,000). That's a maximum of $1.65 million for the third overall pick in the 2006 draft.
Of course, Young already pocketed $350,000 via a signing bonus. But that money wasn't coming back whether they kept him or not.
19 responses to "Bills paying Tarvaris Jackson more than they would have paid Vince Young"
rabidbillsfan says:
Is this article really about $500,000??? I mean really. This is just another chance for know-nothing fools to take shots at the Bills. Yes, we are paying TJ $500,000 more to be a capable back-up, is it that big of a deal? I don't think so.
gf2711 says:
But he's making less than Thigpen, who they will probably cut…
catquick says:
Once they cut Thigpen he'll be just about free
hawkfan72 says:
Pretty good price for one of the league's best backup QBs.
raideralex99 says:
Is TJ really that much more of an up grade than VY … what's the difference one draft pick and $320,000 … wow can you say losers.
lmoneyfresh says:
Makes total sense to me considering he's a better player than VY, which is why they acquired him. Not sure why this is being played off like a real issue.
akezmoh says:
Bills fans better hope Fitz doesn't go down during the season. I watched T-Jack while he was here in MN, very athletic but he is utterly horrible as a QB
wussbasket says:
VY is so bad and lazy looking. Jackson is much more capable and manning the spot
thesmartestmanever says:
Bills fans, don't circle the wagons on T-Jax. he is not a good QB. if he was would the Vikings, and Seahawks have let him go? at least Vince has the skills to succeed in this league. he just need to get his head straight
I don't get why people act like any player who isn't a top line start is garbage. Look, TJ is what he is at this point, a borderline starter/backup. Nobody is arguing that anymore, but people who say that he's garbage obviously don't know how important backup QBs can be in the NFL.
Wes Welker is a great Wide Receiver, but he was let go. Nate The Great Clements was let go, but he was an awesome player. There has been bunches of great players that were passed on for many reasons. Who knows, TJ could be that diamond in the rough that the Bills need. Maybe he just needed a different environment or maybe he needs a QB coach with a different view on the game? You just never know for sure.
survivorbush says:
People forget how many games VY has won……..with his head on str8!!!!!!
jwmickey says:
To add to rabidbillsfan's comment: $500k is a lot of money to most of us – and I think most readers understand this – but to an NFL team this is chump change covered in beer sales by halftime. Even Jackson's max possible salary is a cheap insurance policy for a good backup of the most important position in the game.
jeffesky says:
As a hawks fan tjack was solid 7-7 with our o line that was horrible until mid season. look at some highlights. the guy played half the year with a tirn pec and threw for over 3000 yards. he had his best season ever. he is a top 5 back up and doesnt loose you games. we upgraded here and russell has been so dynamic tjack became the odd man out. i wish him the best. a solid guy all the way. dont tell me ponder is the man and tjack sucks. PLEASE!!!!
trollhammer20 says:
In terms of making really boneheaded, dumb plays that can toss a game down the toilet, Tavaris Jackson has steadily improved over his career. He didn't win Seattle many games last year, but he didn't lose them many, either.
Young is a catastrophe waiting to happen. He has never learned. He still throws the same stupid picks that rookies throw, even in preseason games against the second string.
m1000be says:
You know you suck when a team pays MORE for T-Jack, just to get rid of you,
conormacleod says:
First, stop it. No he isn't. Second, I highly doubt Bills fans saw Jackson play many games in MN, and maybe a few across the country in Seattle. I watched him every day in MN for several years. Ask yourself this, why did MN constantly look to replace him, then replace him, then not sign him as a free agent? Then, why did Seattle immediately look to replace him, replace him, and then trade him. Because he is good? Take a look around the NFL. There aren't that many good QB's. So why did TWO teams get rid of this guy?
If Jackson is doing more than holding a clipboard for your team, your team is done for the season. There is no argument for this.
vikefan284296 says:
Lol ah the TJack supporters. I remember every year how I tried defending the Guy. Looks like he finally gets it for a game or two then tosses a nice 100 yard game to prove you wrong.
sheek585 says:
Did we forget tht da bills renewed a back up QB contract of da sum of $59million? VY is a better QB then Fitz da bum & T-Jax. Numbers dnt lie! We need a starting QB badly! Fitz is nothin more then a back up with a pee wee league ARM!