Broncos' Shane Ray, Derek Wolfe speak out against Roger Goodell contract proposal

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — $49.5 million per year. Lifetime use of a private jet. Lifetime health insurance for the whole family.

That is the most recently proposed contract extension from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

If that sounds absurd to you, you aren’t alone.

“What position does he play?” Denver Broncos Linebacker Shane Ray asked.

“He’s the commis—” I began before Ray interrupted.

“Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, I know,” he said. “He doesn’t play a position… He doesn’t do s***. He doesn’t do s***.”

“You wanna get 50 million dollars?” Ray continued. “Why would Roger Goodell get 50 million dollars and we can’t even guarantee contracts for players? What does he need a private jet for? His whole family gets insurance, but you can’t even guarantee my contract? Screw that.”

Goodell has been the commissioner of the league since 2006. During that time, he has already made an estimated $150 million in salary.

One thing that’s undeniable is that under the guidance of the current commissioner, the league has seen massive growth from a revenue standpoint. But how Goodell has dealt with controversy, from player discipline, to player protests, to player safety and so on, is very much up for debate. And don’t forget those pesky TV ratings.

“I think it’s real sketchy,” defensive lineman Derek Wolfe said of the proposed contract. “Especially with all the controversy that’s been going on, you know? All the things that have gone on and how he’s handled it—I’m not the person that watches over him and tells him what kind of job he’s doing, but from the outside looking in, it looks like he’s not doing a great job. Why does he deserve $50 million, health insurance and a private jet for the rest of his life?”

Potentially the most offensive part of the proposal from a player standpoint is not the eye-popping salary or the lavish private jet, but the lifetime health insurance for Goodell and his family. While it may not seem like much, the players—who put their health on the line on a weekly basis—are only covered by the league from a health-insurance standpoint for five years after their career. And that’s only for vested veterans.

“What the hell is that?” Wolfe exclaimed.

While the contract may sound absurd, it doesn’t appear those who will pay for it—the NFL owners—feel the same way. In fact, the only person who has raised any issues with the extension, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones—for reasons that don’t appear to pertain to the numbers of it all—is getting heavy pushback from his peers on his very objections.

Roger Goodell may very well cash in. Whether he deserves it or not, well, that’s up for debate.

“I think Goodell is the most full of s*** person ever if he thinks he deserves that, ” Wolfe concluded.