Breaking News: Chris Baker Gets His Extension
Jets TE Chris Baker just got paid.
The man who parked his red Bentley in former Jets President Jay Cross’ parking space earlier this spring and hired Pete Kendall’s agent, got what he was looking for in a new contract from the Jets. Baker, who caught 41 passes (a career best) last season, was set to make $683,500 this season but boycotted voluntary practices in the spring as retaliation to not getting a new deal. Since the start of camp, when Baker was placed on the PUP, Baker has been sudued and optimistic that he would work something out with the team. A spokesperson for the Jets addressed the extension late Wednesday night, and the new deal is for another three years. Here’s Adam Schefter information on the deal.
Baker’s deal, which had two years remaining on it, was extended three years through the 2012 season. The new deal will pay him $12.2 million over those three new years, including $9 million of guaranteed money if Baker plays in 50 percent of the Jets plays this season and is on the roster the fifth day of the league year. But if the Jets opt against paying the guaranteed money, then Baker would become a free agent in March.
If Baker fails to play in 50 percent of the Jets’ plays, he still will get the three-year, $12.2 million extension –- just without any guaranteed money.
All together, Baker now has five years remaining on a contract that is worth $15 million.
The reason the deal has been kept so quiet is that Baker’s salary-cap number for this season did not change nor was there any guaranteed money paid to him this year. Thus, it was difficult to detect the deal through the updated contracts filed with the NFL Players Association’s.
So Baker is happy because he gets more money if he stays with the team and the team is happy because they still control his destiny on getting that deal — and don’t think they’re not going to chart his reps and use Franks as much as they can this year to keep him under 50%.
Just conjecture on my part, but my thought is that the front office wasn’t exactly feeling Baker’s calling them out in public and in no uncertain terms told him and his agent that if they wanted their money, any renegotiations would be on theirs, not his terms as he was already under contract and squeezed by the other acquisitions they made. Being placed on the PUP list (and losing his salary) struck the fear of God into Baker, and he seemed to straighten up and fly right after that, especially knowing that his agent was getting to work on a new deal.
The truth is that Baker is an asset to this offense as I’ve outlined mostly due to his versatility. Rookie Dustin Keller doesn’t directly threaten Baker’s status, but more likely threatens his stats. That said, Baker is better suited in-line anyway where he can block and catch, which the team should need from Baker this season with a beefed up running game.
Is this an early sign that Bubba will be out the door next year? It’s hard to say, but if Baker is around long-term, then that’s money the front office can free up for someone else.
Our thanks to CWPOST for sharing the link to Schefter’s blog.
Filed under: Main Page
I like this contract. Nicely done on both sides.
i fill good about our jets they want to win and win bad…..we have to give props to mr johnson who is not afraid to spend money and keep a quality contender on the field.
Another very smart deal by Mr.T. It once again shows his brillance with the salary cap…I will mention that this is the 5th contract that was re-done with multiple years remaining ( BT, Moore, Rhodes, Coles, Baker) a practice Tangini stated would not happen during the Kendall mess. They should never ahd made those comments. “This” is the way to do business, sign your guys to extentions under “your” terms. Nice signing
Great job. Essentially, they won’t have to go desperately searching around for an all-around TE now that they’ve locked up Baker.
I haven’t supported his shenanigans this past offseason, but I’ve always thought Baker was a very, very good all-around player with great hands, and who runs good routes and blocks well. In other words, a good all-around football player.
You need your stars to win a Super Bowl, but you also need your “lesser” players on the field to be good-to-very-good. Baker is good-to-very-good and will continue to be an asset to the team.
The reports focus on the Jets option and that nothing is guaranteed Baker. Actually, my first read of one of the reports is that if the contract is not guaranteed, Baker has the option of being a Free Agent.
Could you find out what is so? Seems to me if Baker is either a FA or gets 9 mil guaranteed, this is a good deal for all.
Seems to me if he only gets guarantee if he plays 50% of snaps and is stuck for even more years if he does not, then he and his agent did something nasty with the pooch.
harlan
I like the deal but this is kind of BS. I know it doesnt change his numbers this year but they should have waited to after the season as a matter of principle. I think teams should get together and start black balling some agents who are encouraging these athletes to be anti team and who are really tarnishing the image of the league. I guess this is a compermise but at what cost?
Reprocity
I guess Baker has met expectations and done everything that was asked of him. He has come out and said all the right things about Brett Favre and the rest of his teammates.
He practiced during training camp and looked pretty good in preseason. I like the move. Just throw the ball his way and let him be productive and earn his pay.
This guy can flat-out play football.
I mean, his stats are okay, but I’m just talking about observing the guy.
Watch him at practice. GREAT footwork and hand placement on blocking… GREAT at coming off of blocks, chipping, rolling off of blocks for play action, etc. His biggest drawback as a blocker is that he’s not huge, like Kyle Brady, but otherwise, VERY good blocker.
GREAT hands. Runs good routes. Very coachable player.
GREAT job locking him up, Tangini! Don’t have to worry about #1 traditional TE for a few years now!
I have a mixed reaction as I still think Baker is just average and not worth the money.
Read Cimini’s post at his web page. This is a face saving deal for Baker as JETS do not have to guarantee money if he plays in less than 50% of plays or if they cut him in March.
Baker is not average. His numbers were average last year but he was a 5th lineman much of the time. This is a good sign that the Jets are serious about winning and not making the same mistakes as in the past.
pat d: I’d hope you mean he is a “6th” lineman, otherwise we are in BAD shape :)
baker will most likely be let go before the $9 million becomes guarenteed…or at least i think so…we didn’t draft a TE for nothing…baker’s days in NY are hit…just my thoughts…
dakar, Keller does not threaten Baker’s status as #1 traditional TE, at all.