Warner inks deal with the Cards (2 years $23 million)
Last Updated on Friday, 6 March 2009 07:33 Written by admin Wednesday, 4 March 2009 12:33
Quarterback Kurt Warner agreed to terms on a 2-year deal worth $23 million on Wednesday.
The contract includes a $15 million signing bonus and salaries of $4 million in each year, giving Warner $19 million in the first year of the deal, according to his agent, Mark Bartelstein.
“That was a critical element,” said Bartelstein of the guaranteed money. He credited Cardinals team president Michael Bidwill, general manager Rod Graves and coach Ken Whisenhunt for making the deal happen.
“They listened to our concerns and addressed them,” he said. “Sometimes, it’s not easy to change a stance.”
Negotiations took longer than either side expected, but the contract should carry Warner through to the end of his career.
The Cardinals were offering a two-year deal worth $20 million, $10 million of which was guaranteed.
Warner, an unrestricted free agent, will turn 38 this summer, and has said he would like to finish his career in Arizona. But negotiations stalled in the weeks after the season, and Warner started looking elsewhere, visiting the 49ers earlier this week.
The Cardinals gambled that Warner wouldn’t leave and that their offer was in line with what he would command in free agency.
Bartelstein said the 49ers offered more money, although the 49ers denied making a formal offer to Warner.
That’s likely a matter of semantics. Either way, the 49ers knew it was a long shot that Warner would leave Arizona, where he’s played the last four seasons.
He has started 31 consecutive games for the Cardinals, including the playoffs and Super Bowl, and set numerous individual passing records last season.
Thanks Miles, I will definately be pleasuring myself over this one. Expect Boldin to re-sign soon, even though his agent is a prick.
When do you want me to come work for you and make this website take off?
I would have ahted to see him retire after last year or worse play for the Niners
Cards suck , just got lucky last year…this year ill laugh when they fall apart
Nice job way to get it out there early too, wow
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