Patrick Peterson Got Paid More Than Richard Sherman, and Here's Why It's a Smart Move

Patrick Peterson, one of the five best cornerbacks in the NFL, just inked a 5-year, $70.5 million contract with the Cardinals, making him the richest player at his position in the NFL. There was some quibbling this morning about whether the eye-popping $70.5 million figure mattered when the most important thing in any contract is “guaranteed money.” But Richard Sherman – the best cornerback in the NFL – makes more guaranteed money! Here’s your answer, via Mike Florio:

"the deal is actually with $70.05 million over five years, a minor distinction that makes him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL based on a new-money analysis. Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman signed in May four-year, $56 million extension, worth $14 million a year in new money. Peterson’s average is $14.01 million."

I’m well aware that last year – two very important words – Sherman was better than Peterson. Year before, too. But here’s why I have no issues with the Cardinals making Peterson the highest paid cornerback in the NFL: 1) He also returns kicks, and is quite good at that (four punt return TDs as a rookie, including a scintillating game-winner); 2) He’s two years younger than Sherman and 3) the Cardinals are betting that the two were so close last year in many metrics, that Peterson will catch/overtake Sherman in 2015 or 2016.

Sherman played the part of salty, angry, trash-talker to get attention, then let his work on the field speak for him last season. Is the social media retort to Peterson’s deal really necessary?