Just when it appeared Javon Walker didn’t have it in him, he has again wowed the Broncos and their fans.
Only this time, it wasn’t on the field as a Broncos receiver, but at the Oakland Raiders’ bargaining table.
Despite undergoing a second surgery in two years on his right knee in October, despite catching only nine passes for 67 yards and no touchdowns in the Broncos’ final 14 games last season, Walker received a $55 million deal from the Raiders that included an $11 million signing bonus and a starter salary of $5 million.
Wow.
The contract not only stunned Broncos Nation, it was widely considered the most shocking offseason deal in the NFL. One way to view Walker’s new contract is to suggest the Raiders are nuts for paying that much money to a player with such a health history. Another is to credit agent Kennard McGuire for negotiating arguably the most player-friendly contract of the offseason.
“My guys hire me to represent them to the fullest of their ability but also to the fullest of mine,” McGuire said.
Walker forced his way out of Dove Valley during an impromptu, season-ending diatribe at his locker, where he said the Broncos’ offense wasn’t for him. Mike Shana-han agreed and released him rather than pay a $5.4 million option bonus on March 4.
The bonus that seemed so outlandish on its due date was dwarfed two days later by the Raiders’ deal. Given a chance, McGuire declined to tell Broncos Nation, “Told ya so.”
“Javon passed the team physical, and at the end of the day that’s all that matters,” McGuire said. “He’s happy to be an Oakland Raider.”
Mike Klis: 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com
