The Future of Eric Fisher

[kccrow]

Let's discuss Eric Fisher. I'm going to give my thoughts, which are long-winded and detailed from a contractual perspective.

Coming to an agreement on an extension for Eric Fisher should be of great importance to the Chiefs this offseason. Fisher is in the final year of his rookie contract, but being a first round pick he could be optioned for a fifth year. Consideration of the option year is where the Chiefs need to be diligent. This year's transition tag value for offensive lineman will be the option year salary for Eric Fisher should the Chiefs decided to exercise it since Fisher was a top 10 selection. Based on salary data available from OverTheCap.com, the transition tag value is set to be around $10,764,053. Obviously, that figure will not be perfectly accurate but it will be a very near approximation. Nearly $10.8 million for Eric Fisher in 2017 is an unacceptable figure based on his level of play so far in his career. That salary would place Fisher, as it stands now, 9th overall in salary for offensive lineman in 2017. Not only does the transition tag figure not fit Fisher's current level of production, but it also will significantly impact the salary cap.

I do not argue that Fisher has been quietly ascending as a player, but he has performed far below his lofty draft status of first overall and certainly would not be a top 10 offensive lineman at this juncture. It makes sense on multiple fronts for the Chiefs to extend Fisher to, hopefully, reduce his 2016 cap hit ($7.06 million) and his cap hits in future years.

When it comes to Fisher, I think you have to start looking at the Will Beatty and Joe Staley type of contracts in the $7.5 million average per year range and work off of that. Even though I don't think Fisher deserves that type of salary and would argue for a Michael Oher-like low APY, I do realize this is a league where salaries are going to continue to increase. At this point, I can't fathom Fisher as anymore than a middle of the league left tackle, and a $7.5 million APY would certainly reflect that going forward. A large portion of Fisher's contract should be incentive laden without a ton of guaranteed money but we'll have to see how KC handles that.

What would I offer Eric Fisher? Let's start by converting his currently guaranteed roster bonus of $2,755,977 to a signing bonus and giving him an additional $5 million added to that, for a total signing bonus of $7,755,977. Also, give him an option bonus in 2017 of $10 million that is fully guaranteed at signing. This will allow the Chiefs to spread what is effectively a $17,755,977 signing bonus out over 6 years instead of 5. Leave his current $675,000 salary for 2016 in tact and fully guaranteed, bringing him to $18.43 million in guaranteed money. Fisher gains $15 million in new, guaranteed money for the extension, while the Chiefs receive the ability to prorate over a longer period of time. Give Fisher $250,000 workout bonuses in all 6 years of the deal. Add in $500,000 in roster bonuses as injury and performance incentives in 2017 through 2020. Add a $2,000,000 roster bonus in 2021. Give him salaries of $3.0, 3.75, 4.0, 4.75, and 6.0 million in 2017 through 2021. The new contract for the entire 6 years becomes a $49,060,612 deal with $18,430,977 fully guaranteed for an APY of $8,176,769 and 37.6% guaranteed. Annual cap hits would be approximately $6.1, 7.3, 8.0, 8.3, 9.0, and 10.3 million. The extension adds $42 million in new money to the deal, which provides $7.0 APY over the 5 new years with 36% guaranteed. Oh, and the Chiefs would free up nearly $955,000 in 2016 using this format.

Obviously old money escalates the deal slightly above my target, but I'd feel pretty good about the new money and his cap hits would be middle of the road going forward for left tackles. This is a contract that isn't that Chiefs' friendly in terms of being able to cut Fisher before 2020, but I think he's shown considerable growth and you're banking on that continuing. The only question is, how do Eric Fisher and his agent view Eric Fisher at this point? If they view his value over and above this, I think the Chiefs would be wise to not elect to use the option and see if Fisher grows in 2016. Even if Fisher turns into the best tackle in the NFL (doubtful at best) that warrants a Trent Williams deal, the Chiefs wouldn't be losing in 2017.

[Hammock Parties]

He's basically had one good NFL season to this point.

I'd wait til late in 2016 to extend him. But if he continues to play the way he did last year, you give him a decent chunk of change. He's part of the solution.

[Shaid]

Dumb to wait until he's playing better when he's clearly improving. Lock him up before everyone starts to classify him as good. Get a better deal that way. Just make sure it's escape friendly.

[Sandy Vagina]

Yes, let most of the 2016 season play out in order to determine future plans for him. Meanwhile, draft an early OT in this draft that can play RT and also has the potential to be an eventual replacement at LT if necessary.

If he'll sign an early deal that lets KC off the hook easy, then fine.. no need to wait. Doesn't seem likely though.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Mals

He's basically had one good NFL season to this point.

I'd wait til late in 2016 to extend him. But if he continues to play the way he did last year, you give him a decent chunk of change. He's part of the solution.

This makes zero sense.

If the Chiefs can sign him to an extension similar to that of Lane Johnson in Philly, do it now.

Paying $9 million for a starting left tackle in 2018 and beyond will equal a dirt cheap contract.

[loochy]

Originally Posted by Shaid

Dumb to wait until he's playing better when he's clearly improving. Lock him up before everyone starts to classify him as good. Get a better deal that way. Just make sure it's escape friendly.

I tend to think like this. He's getting better - grab him NOW while he's cheap.

[Saccopoo]

He puts in another season like he just had an you've got a top five LT in his prime heading into free agency.

Go ask the Carolina Panthers if they would have taken Fisher over Oher in the Super Bowl. Fisher has wrecked Von Miller and Demarcus Ware. Fisher basically owns Von Miller at this point.

Dude gave up only three sacks on the season going against some of/the best pass rushers in the NFL this past season.

As Dane said, if they can lock him up with a Lane Johnson level contract you do it yesterday.

[Red Dawg]

Regardless of his pay, he will be the man at LT in September. We don't however have an RT and will probably sign and draft one at some point. Stephenson sucked that bad.

Fisher will come a lot cheaper now than when he blows up if he does.

[pugsnotdrugs19]

I actually can agree with Dane on this one... Get him before he drives that price through the roof. See Justin Houston, 2014

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by Shaid

Dumb to wait until he's playing better when he's clearly improving. Lock him up before everyone starts to classify him as good. Get a better deal that way.

Lock him up long term before he's a good player?

This was his best year yet but one respectable year out of the last 3 isn't much. And again we have some very mediocre players looking solid or being overrated because of just how bad other lineman were.

Our LT isn't going to look as bad when our RT-of-the-week is losing the battle at the snap...

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by pugsnotdrugs19

I actually can agree with Dane on this one... Get him before he drives that price through the roof. See Justin Houston, 2014

These players are nowhere NEAR the same level.

We don't need to overpay for him like we already have been. We don't need to draft a LT in the 1st.

[Mr. Laz]

Every player depends on the price.

Whether it's Eric Fisher or Eric Berry, there is always a price range where they are worth it. I wouldn't think that Eric Fisher would be worth a high end LT contract right now. If the Chiefs can get Fisher on a contract that matches his worth and doesn't anticipate him being an elite LT then go for it and sign him.

If Fisher wants an Elite LT contract right now, then the team needs to consider their options.


I've been one of the few guys that has defended Fisher his entire career but a contract still has to be based on value, not fandom.

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by Rausch

These players are nowhere NEAR the same level.

We don't need to overpay for him like we already have been. We don't need to draft a LT in the 1st.

He never said they were the same level.

He said get fisher under contract before his value increases like we didn't do with Houston.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

Every player depends on the price.

Whether it's Eric Fisher or Eric Berry, there is always a price range where they are worth it. I wouldn't think that Eric Fisher would be worth a high end LT contract right now. If the Chiefs can get Fisher on a contract that matches his worth and doesn't anticipate him being an elite LT then go for it and sign him.

If Fisher wants an Elite LT contract right now, then the team needs to consider their options.

Sounds good.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

He never said they were the same level.

He said get fisher under contract before his value increases like we didn't do with Houston.

I don't see Fish's upside as anywhere near that high.

And this is just my personal preference but I'd prefer to spend it on someone like DJ or Berry (who we know can play at a very high level) over someone who's just now respectable.