The Las Vegas Raiders just handed out a record-setting contract to one of their best players.
That’s not a sentence often written about a punter.
But that’s who it applies to in this case. AJ Cole, a two-time First-Team All-Pro, has a new four-year extension with Vegas.
The deal, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, will pay Cole $15.8 million over the four extension years, with $11 million guaranteed. He’s now the highest-paid punter in the NFL.
Cole had one year remaining on his current contract, so the Raiders now have him for the next five seasons.
The punter shared some of his inspirational story with Schultz:
“There was a point where I thought football might be over. After the draft, doubt started to creep in. I went into the Raiders rookie tryout thinking, ‘These might be the last three days of football I ever get.’ So I enjoyed every second — and I’ve been doing that for six years now.
I actually had a job lined up with IBM starting September 1. Even after the Raiders signed me, I kept it until the last minute — I literally called Rick at IBM a week before our first game and said, ‘We’re playing on Monday Night Football. I’m not coming.’ Probably the most interesting way IBM has ever been turned down. If I had gotten cut, I would’ve moved back to Raleigh and just started the job.
Being the last Oakland Raider and the first Vegas punter means a lot to me. The history at this position in this organization is unlike anything else — and the fans really get it. I love the organization, I love the fans and I love Las Vegas. I told my agents: I want to be here for a long time. I want to play until I’m 40. I want to play forever.”
That’s really cool.
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Cole has earned the contract, and now he’ll just try to stay consistent for the next half-decade.
The Raiders have made a lot of offensive upgrades this offseason, likely hoping Cole sees the field a bit less. But if they have to call on him, he’ll certainly be ready.
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