There has been some new money flying around in the NFL this week and the young stars of this league are finally getting paid in accordance to their on-field production. Many were skeptical of just how many long-term commitments would be made by organizations considering the uncertainty surrounding the CBA agreement that is in its final operating year currently. Many players with expiring contracts have been forced to play for another year well under their current market values, but that can’t be said for two budding stars in the NFC.

Beginning out West with the San Francisco 49ers, their 1st round pick in the 2007 NFL Draft Patrick Willis has been in the league three seasons and gone to the Pro Bowl following each of those campaigns. His on-field instincts have only gotten more honed-in while his production has been constant. Willis is a tackling machine already totaling 358 solo tackles in just three short years with an additional 109 assists to go along with that gigantic number. Tackling isn’t the only area of expertise for Willis has forced 6 fumbles, made 4 interceptions, and returned 2 of those picks for touchdowns in his still young career. There is absolutely no doubt that the 49ers have themselves a centerpiece for their defense locked up after giving him a 5 year, $50 million contract earlier in the week. With a coach like Mike Singletary devising schemes for Willis to succeed and coaching him up to his fullest potential, the best may still be ahead for this former Ole Miss Rebel.

The other big signing of the week was announced on Wednesday as the Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints agreed to terms on a 7 year, $56.7 million contract with their Pro Bowl guard Jahri Evans. As a 4th round pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, Evans didn’t ink a really lucrative contract as a rookie entering the league. He quickly earned himself that big deal though via his play on the field starting every game since putting on a Saints jersey and doing a marvelous job to both lead the way in the running game and keep quarterback Drew Brees clean. Evans was still currently under contract with the Saints because of the restricted free agent tender under the expiring CBA agreement, but he chose not to attend the voluntary workouts with the team which kick-started the negotiation process. As a graduate of Bloomsburg which is a Division II school just outside of Philadelphia, Evans is just another prime example that small school players can make big impacts at the next level.

Both of these deals may open up the floodgates for other teams across the league to lock down their priority expiring contracts to long-term deals by setting out a framework for the deals of the new NFL. This is still a dangerous time for front offices with the questions about what type of salary structure will be in place for the future, but teams need to keep their best players in their own colors. There may not be a cavalcade of guys signing on the dotted line over the coming weeks and months leading up to the season, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the penny pinching subside just a little bit by NFL executives.

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