Atlanta Falcons running back Jacquizz Rodgers will receive a substantial raise in 2014
By Brad Rowland
Dec 23, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Jacquizz Rodgers (32) warms up before the final regular season game at Candlestick Park against the San Francisco 49ers. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Young NFL players who are still playing on their “rookie” contracts are often vastly underpaid, especially when they were not high (i.e. 1st-round) draft picks. That has certainly been the case for Falcons running back Jacquizz Rodgers in his first 3 seasons in Atlanta, but he is about to enjoy a substantial pay increase for 2014.
As @brian_mcintyre reported, Jacquizz Rodgers 2014 salary bumped up to $1.389 in 2014, according to NFLPA records.
— vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) January 17, 2014
ESPN’s Vaughn McClure brings word (through Brian McIntyre) that Rodgers’ salary has been increased to nearly $1.4 million for the 2014 season. At first glance, that may not seem like a lot, but it will all make sense with the next bit of information.
Rodgers was slated at $645,000 before Proven Performance Escalator kicked in.
— vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) January 17, 2014
There it is.
Rodgers was scheduled to make under $650,000 in the final year of his first contract, but fortunately, he has performed at a high level. In 2013, the 23-year-old running back out of Oregon State accumulated 673 yards of total offense (332 rushing, 341 receiving) to go along with 4 touchdowns, and that showing brought his career totals north of 1,800 yards (in 47 games) with 8 scores.
In 2014, Rodgers will still be the back-up and/or change-of-pace back as long as Steven Jackson is still employed, but he’s been one of the more underrated pieces to a solid Atlanta offense (prior to 2013, at least), and it’s good to see him capitalizing financially.