As a point of reference, Hightower made $7.724M on the first four years of his rookie deal.
Butler, if he plays 2017 at the $3.91M tender, will have made $5.440M in his first four years - plus he has earned performance based incentives. I am guessing that gets him to around $6M total for his first four years.
Hightower then made $7.751M with his 5th year option. That totals $15.475M in his first 5 years.
Butler will be a UFA for his 5th year. The franchise tag is somewhere $14-15M. But even if he "only" got Logan Ryan money - $10M - he would make roughly the same as Hightower his first 5 years in the league.
Hightower was a first round pick. Butler was an undrafted free agent.
Just thought this was interesting context. And further proof that nothing about his situation is "unfair".
Butler, if he plays 2017 at the $3.91M tender, will have made $5.440M in his first four years - plus he has earned performance based incentives. I am guessing that gets him to around $6M total for his first four years.
Hightower then made $7.751M with his 5th year option. That totals $15.475M in his first 5 years.
Butler will be a UFA for his 5th year. The franchise tag is somewhere $14-15M. But even if he "only" got Logan Ryan money - $10M - he would make roughly the same as Hightower his first 5 years in the league.
Hightower was a first round pick. Butler was an undrafted free agent.
Just thought this was interesting context. And further proof that nothing about his situation is "unfair".