Warner inks deal with the Cards (2 years $23 million)
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.
That’s good news for AZ fans , now work on a Boldin deal, draft a running back, a few more O linemen and a D end !! (Hey Cards F%^G for life have fun with your lotion bottle tonight !! o yeah , like that’s new !!)
- Miles Cyrus
Tags: $ 15 million bonus, $23 million, 2 years, 2009, 49ers, Arizona Cardinals, Kurt Warner, New Deal, NFL, Wanted to make deal happen
March 4th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
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?
March 4th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
I would have ahted to see him retire after last year or worse play for the Niners
March 4th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Cards suck , just got lucky last year…this year ill laugh when they fall apart
March 4th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
Nice job way to get it out there early too, wow
March 19th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
i loveeee thiss songg soo muchh :] joee and demii and nickk are awsomeee:]