Forbes put out one of those lists. The only thing they’re notable for in the sports world — which team or athlete is worth the most money.
This particular list — lists! everyone loves them! — lists the top 100 athletes in terms of 2018 earnings. Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Mr. Opt-Out, himself, is not on it.
But the Packers are represented. By Davante Fucking Adams, who comes in at No. 77.
First of all, Rodgers is probably privately steaming like a goddam freight train somewhere right now. Second of all, Adams — having no business on this list — will never be on it again.
The reason Adams is currently on the list is because he received an $18 million signing bonus when he re-upped with the Packers back in December.
Unlike what the NFL does with the salary cap — prorating that bonus over the length of the contract — Forbes looks at yearly earnings. And Adams is making a shit ton in 2018.
Sure, he’s now the Packers’ default No. 1 receiver. He was probably that even when Jordy Nelson was still on the roster. But… here you have a receiver — a receiver! — who has never had a 1,000-yard season that is making $24.5 million in 2018.
Hey, you have a hell of an agent, Davante Adams. He’s worth his $2.45 million this year, boyo!
As for Adams, his contact averages $14.5 million per season. That, of course, includes the signing bonus of $18 million, which he has already collected. In yearly cash, providing he collects his easy-to-collect bonuses, Adams will make $7 million in 2019 and $13 million in the two following years.
That won’t put him anywhere near the top 100 athletes in terms of pay.
But this is your year to shine, Davante!
I’m not sure I want to live in a world where player agents make 10%.