Three years ago, the Chiefs thought enough of tackle Eric Fisher to make him the first pick in the draft. Now, they think enough of him to give him a four-year, $48 million extension.
Per a source with knowledge of the contract, $22 million is fully guaranteed at signing. By March 2017, $28.5 million will be fully guaranteed. There are another $11.5 million in injury-only guarantees.
The contract compares favorably to the market, which is a positive sign for Fisher given that he has yet to fully become the guy the Chiefs thought he would be. (Apparently, they think he’s close to becoming that guy.)
By way of comparison on a “new money” basis, Saints tackle Terron Armstead and Eagles tackle Lane Johnson got $20.8 million fully guaranteed at signing, and less than $28.5 million by the following March. Their total guarantees were $38 million and $35 million, respectively; Fisher’s is at $40 million.
(Bills tackle Cordy Glenn actually did better than all three, with $26.5 million fully guaranteed at signing and $31.5 million fully guaranteed by March 2016.)
Currently, the deal ties Fisher with Glenn as the fourth highest-paid tackle in the league, at $12 million per year. Washington tackle Trent Williams gets $13 million per year, Armstead gets $13 million per year, Cowboys tackle Tyron Smith gets $12.2 million per year.
Behind Fisher are Browns tackle Joe Thomas at $11.5 million per year, Johnson at $11.25 million per year, and Colts tackle Anthony Castonzo at $10.9 million per year.
The extension, added with the balance of his rookie contract, puts Fisher under contract for six years at $63.33 million.