Most Expensive Football Player (American)

In December 2004 the ceiling was raised for NFL expensive players’ already lucrative paydays when Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick signed a 10-year, $130 million dollar contract extension. The Virginia Tech alum’s deal includes a record-setting $37 million in guaranteed money and makes him by far the most expensive football player in NFL history, his price tag overextending even the $112 million, 12-year deal signed by Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb in 2002.

Vick has been a lightning rod for controversy in Atlanta since the Falcons organization traded wide receiver Tim Dwight and several draft picks to the San Diego Chargers in exchange for the first pick in the 2001 NFL draft. The trade - which perhaps favored the Chargers, who came away from the draft with perennial pro-bowl running back Ladanian Tomlinson - inextricably entwined the futures of Michael Vick and the Atlanta Falcons. Vick’s presence in Atlanta would have an effect on the organization ranging much farther than its win-loss record.

Vick’s successes and failures have cost coaches, coordinators, and front office personnel their jobs as the Falcons have waivered, still struggling to piece together their first back-to-back seasons with winning records. Head coach Dan Reeves was fired in 2003 after failing to produce with an injured Vick sidelined for most of the season. Current head coach Jim Mora Jr. has received his fair share of criticism as well, despite cementing the Falcons as a solid NFC South power, but has responded cleverly with a new offensive scheme. Vick’s production has escalated in the 2006 season with the implementation of the “Vick friendly offense”, which thrives on short, easy to complete outlet passes and curls. The new system also strives to frequently roll Vick outside the pocket- just where he is most threatening. Mora’s risky decision to run an offense some consider too simple for the NFL lays plain the power held by the most expensive football player. Regardless of the Falcons’ record with Vick at quarterback, Atlanta’s ownership will always consider the most expensive NFL football player part of the financial solution rather than part of the problem.

Yearly attendance figures for Falcons games at the Georgia Dome illustrate the financial impact of Vick’s unquestioned popularity. Prior to the arrival of Vick, the franchise had only surpassed 500,000 fans in attendance once in its history. Since the 2001 season, however, the story has changed. The Falcons have easily breached the 500,000-mark every year while selling out every home game on an annual basis.

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