Tom Dahlin/Viking Update
The deals signed within the last week by Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith and Philadelphia defensive lineman Fletcher Cox have redefined the new ceiling for contract amounts, as the pay for top players is on the rise at an alarming level.
Every so often, a player signs a contract that throws a big rock into a still pond and the ripples waft away in concentric circles that force other water to move and roll.
Within the last week, two contracts were signed that made such a ripple effect.
When it was announced that Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith signed a five-year, $51 million contract, it became clear that the price for elite NFL safeties had just gone up.