Will Albert Haynesworth Determine Ray Lewis' Payday?

Here’s the situation: Ray Lewis has earned the right to be the highest paid defensive player in the NFL over his 13 years. The problem is that Albert Haynesworth has earned the same right over the course of the last few years.

And with Haynesworth being looked at by NFL teams like Tyra Banks’ first Sports Illustrated cover, Lewis looks more and more like one of the blondes in the back that used to be hot, but got the doors blown off her when Tyra stepped on the scene.

The rumor in Charm City is that Haynesworth is looking for upwards of $15 million-per-year, which may make Lewis’ run at $10 million-per-year seem down right silly.

Reports are coming out that the Baltimore Ravens are inching closer towards resigning Bart Scott, who has played successfully at middle linebacker when Lewis has been out. He’s younger, faster, and, alongside a franchised Terrell Suggs, seems the Ravens’ best chance given Lewis’ desire to head west.

With Haynesworth breaking the bank, will teams be willing to look as closely at Lewis’ magic number as they once were?

If the Redskins pull off signing Haynesworth, Lewis still has a chance at escaping Purple City. Most of the league knows that the Redskins are idiots with money, so it shouldn’t change anyone’s plans. But should the Tampa Bay Buccanneers or Atlanta Falcons pull the trigger, it could set off a whole new perspective on the value of an aging middle linebacker.

And that’s enough to take the funky out of Ray Lewis’ chicken.

Share and Enjoy: