The Miami Dolphins threw their hat in the ring of a growing list of NFL rookies that are enjoying an unprecedented luxury. The Houston Texans started the trend when they delivered a fully guaranteed contract to second round pick Jayden Higgins. Days later, the Cleveland Browns did the same for the first pick of the second round, Carson Schwesinger. Then a stalemate ensued. Much of the class remained unsigned for three months.
The stalemate broke yesterday. Nearly every single second round pick put pen to paper on Friday, including the Miami Dolphins 37th overall selection, Jonah Savaiinaea.
But unlike an overwhelming majority of the 18 players signed Friday, Savaiinaea became one of just five second round rookies who earned the unprecedented fully guaranteed contract.
“(TreVeyon) Henderson became the 18th second-round pick to agree to terms on a contract across the two-day stretch, and the fifth to get his money fully guaranteed,” wrote Keagan Stiefel for NESN. “Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger, Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins, Seattle Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori and Miami Dolphins guard Jonah Savaiinaea — four of the five picks made before him — are the others.”
A full contract guarantee used to be a luxury withheld for only the first 32 selections. However, it seems a new trend will take over. With players earning more in college there is no longer an immediate financial need fulfilled by the NFL. For this reason, players like Savaiinaea hold more leverage over their employers.
What Jonah Savaiinaea Signing Means For Liam Eichenberg
Liam Eichenberg has been a starter since day one after being drafted early in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft (talk about topical). But the former Notre Dame tackle might have just gotten signed out of the starting lineup.
With Savaiinaea getting the fully guaranteed deal he received, there is a heavy implication that the team plans to insert the former Arizona University guard into the starting rotation immediately. Eichenberg has been asked to fill a lot of holes for the Phins, delivering starts in each of the five positions on the offensive line. But PhinPhanatic’s Ryan Heckman believes he has done so underwhelmingly.
“No matter where he’s positioned, his play has simply been mediocre at best,” Heckman writes. “Last year, playing tackle, Eichenberg was horrendous. He gave up a total of 62 pressures and nine sacks on the year.”
Considering the signing of former Pittsburgh Steelers guard James Daniels, there just isn’t any room left for Eichenberg.
“Now, with Savaiinaea ready to rock and roll, that should be the end for Eichenberg, much to Dolphins fans’ relief,” Heckman concludes. “The former Irish standout came into the league with a ton of potential, but we just haven’t seen it consistently pan out.”
Jonah Savaiinaea Full Contract Details
Savaiinaea’s dispute wasn’t over the bottom line number. All rookie contracts receive a fixed salary based on where they were selected. At 37th overall, Savaiinaea received a four-year deal worth $11,322,475.
He also received a $4,874,528 signing bonus. His contract expires in 2028 and because he was a second round pick, he does not have a fifth year option.
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