Then why bring that number up at all?
To call attention to shifting opinion and to make the argument that while he had a great year this year, let's not start acting like he's one of the top QBs in football. It was just last year or so that people were advocating for an extension AS LONG AS it was under market value, pretty substantially.
Obviously he has raised his stock and is justified in asking for a contract more in line with market value -- but that should not be Wilson/Rodgers tier from the start of the deal.
The Skins were once a premier organization, as well. And nobody is saying that lowballing the most important position in football would change it over night. But don't kid yourself... Players and agents would certainly notice that. And it would start a slow slide that would build over time.
There's a difference between taking note of the treatment of one player versus starting a slide. Yes everyone would be watching the Dak scenario play out but I also think they'd be more or less understanding of it. Those that didn't understand might have a negative opinion, but that opinion can be counteracted by such things like how we treat other players.... like the way we fucking go to the mattresses for Elliott or how we've stood by Randy Gregory through thick and thin. They notice those things too.
I don't think taking a hardline stance with a QB that most realize doesn't deserve top money, would signal the start of any slide into low franchise status.
To the extent we are sliding it's because of a lot of other things first. Certainly you'd argue that employing Garrett for a decade (as a negative) -- and the subsequent switch to a respected coach like McCarthy (as a positive) -- carries a TON more weight in overall league perception of us as a free agent destination.
