Friday Football Footnotes: Another big-money receiver contract; Baker Mayfield doesn't want to see his old Browns jersey

The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering their third day of training camp. The rest of the National Football League’s teams are wading into preparations as well. So, let’s find out what’s happening across the rest of the NFL in our first “Friday Football Footnotes” of 2022.

Eyes on the prize

Every time a wide receiver signs a contract extension, it makes you wonder what that does to the state of negotiations between the Steelers and Diontae Johnson.

Yesterday another very expensive domino fell as DK Metcalf signed a contract to extend his career with the Seattle Seahawks.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the franchise gave Metcalf a three-year, $72 million extension that features $58.2 million in guarantees. That guaranteed total apparently includes a $30 million signing bonus, the highest ever for a wide receiver.

Metcalf was the last pick in the second round of the 2019 draft (No. 64) — that was two selections before the Steelers took Johnson. Metcalf has a combined 216 catches for 3,170 yards and 29 touchdowns over his first three seasons.

Johnson has more receptions (254) but trails a bit in yards (2,764) and touchdowns (20). Keep in mind, though, Metcalf had Russell Wilson as his quarterback in Seattle. Johnson had two years of an aging Ben Roethlisberger and the Mason Rudolph-”Duck” Hodges combo as a rookie.

Latest on Lamar

The wait continues for a new contract for Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. He told media members on Thursday that he wants to get a deal done.

Lamar Jackson was asked if he thinks a contract will get done between him and Ravens.

"I think so. I think so. I think so. We'll have to see."

Before the season?

"I said there was going to be a cut-off, so hopefully."

— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) July 28, 2022

Head coach John Harbaugh recently said both sides are motivated to get a long-term deal completed.

Currently, Jackson is set to play 2022 on the fifth-year option of his rookie deal. That’s worth $23.01 million for this season. He doesn’t have an agent and is negotiating the contract himself because he doesn’t “like people in my business.”

Jackson isn’t going through the “hold-in” routine like Johnson is doing and like T.J. Watt did with the Steelers last year. Those two showed up to practice every day but only did individual workouts. Jackson is actually practicing in team drills.

“I just want to work with my brothers at the end of the day,” Jackson said. “I don’t want to leave them out there hanging. That’s not me. That’s never been me.”

Related

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• Tim Benz: Mike Tomlin may not be re-evaluating Steelers QB battle 'after every throw,' but it feels like everyone else is
• Daily camp report: Mason Cole at center of brief scrum following Robert Spillane interception

Control, Alt, Delete

The Arizona Cardinals are eliminating the “homework mandate” from Kyler Murray’s contract.

The quarterback recently signed an extension Thursday. It’s worth up to $230.5 million. Roughly $105 million was guaranteed at signing, and $160 million is guaranteed for injury.

But Murray didn’t like that one clause in the contract became public. The addendum requires four hours of “independent study” per game week.

Contracts are about give-and-take. One example from #AZCardinals QB Kyler Murray’s $230.5M contract: There is an addendum that requires 4 hours of “independent study” per game week. It was important to the team making a commitment at that level, thus it was important to Murray. pic.twitter.com/VqrkvoBQLJ

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 25, 2022

Murray was unhappy about how the clause in the contract was being interpreted.

#Cardinals franchise QB @K1 made a surprise media appearance today and spoke about the contract clause forcing him to study film for 4 hours a week.

Said it's "disrespectful" and "almost a joke." that the media criticized him for it.pic.twitter.com/PmH8bKQALs

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) July 28, 2022

As a result, the team decided to scrap the line.

“After seeing the distraction it created, we removed the addendum from the contract,” the Cardinals said in a statement. “It was clearly perceived in ways that were never intended. Our confidence in Kyler Murray is as high as it’s ever been and nothing demonstrates our belief in his ability to lead this team more than the commitment reflected in this contract.”

No more Browns for Baker

Carolina Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield apparently wants to distance himself from his time with the Cleveland Browns as much as possible.

At least that’s what this Panthers training camp video seems to indicate when he notices a fan with his Cleveland No. 6 jersey.

Baker to a fan holding his Browns jersey:

“Get that jersey outta here.” pic.twitter.com/jDkZcoqp8K

— Schuyler Callihan (@Callihan_) July 27, 2022

After the Browns traded for Deshaun Watson during the offseason, Mayfield requested a trade out of Cleveland. The Panthers picked him up for a 2024 fifth-round pick.