3-Wide: Will a 4th Super Bowl ring make Tom Brady the best of all time?
3-Wide is a weekly feature in which theScore's NFL editors debate the hot topics around the league. Grab a cold towel and brace for hot takes.
Which player has the most to gain from a standout Super Bowl performance?
David P. Woods: Russell Wilson will probably become the NFL's highest paid player (at least until Andrew Luck completes his deal) regardless of whether the Seahawks win, but an MVP-caliber performance and a second ring in three seasons as a pro could give him the leverage to demand the type of contract that's essentially unheard of in today's NFL: fully guaranteed. Jay Cutler's record seven-year, $127-million deal includes only $54 million in guarantees. Wilson could reasonably demand seven years, $140 million fully guaranteed. A baseball contract, in other words.
Dan Wilkins: With a decision looming on his $20-million contract option, it's Darrelle Revis. There's already been talk that the Patriots would be willing to pick up the option if they can't work out a long-term extension, but a strong performance in the biggest game of the year would likely leave them with no choice. In fact, Revis forcing a turnover or two en route to a Patriots win could push his contract value close to a $20-million per season average over the course of a multi-year deal.
Arun Srinivasan: Although Russell Wilson and Darrelle Revis stand to benefit from a great Super Bowl, they'll likely sign massive extensions regardless of their performances on Sunday. Instead, Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner has the most on the line, with his rookie deal expiring at the end of the season. Wagner made his first Pro Bowl this year, and is quickly making a case as the league's best inside linebacker. Wagner is likely to get a deal around 4 years, $32 million, but could bump that average up to $11 million with an excellent game Sunday, and will be the final core piece locked up by John Schneider.
Does the "Deflategate" scandal mean that a Patriots win should be accompanied by an asterisk?
Wilkins: Absolutely not. While the issue has been the talk of the league for well over a week, and the Patriots once again being accused of cheating is somewhat concerning, allegedly underinflating footballs is not what made them the team they were this year. After rebounding from a slow start, New England was the AFC's best team throughout the season, and it really wasn't close. If the Patriots win, the focus should be on the incredible accomplishment that is a fourth Super Bowl title in the Brady-Belichick era.
Srinivasan: Not in the slightest. New England won the AFC Championship with relative ease against Indianapolis, and the ball pressure levels didn't matter as much as some may imply. New England has built a roster that's the envy of 30 other teams and will be a worthy champion if they defeat the defending titleholders. If the Patriots win, people will remember an offense led by Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski, a young linebacking duo coming into their own (Jamie Collins, Dont'a Hightower) and savvy coups at cornerback (Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner).
Woods: Of course not. The lack of outrage among active players, and the multiple testimonials from former players makes it clear what the Patriots allegedly did is commonplace in the NFL. Why do we even care how inflated the footballs are? Shouldn't we allow teams to play with whatever balls they prefer? If we aren't outraged by the Seahawks - who lead the NFL in PED-related suspensions since Pete Carroll took over as head coach - we shouldn't be outraged by some slightly under-inflated footballs.
Will a fourth Super Bowl ring make Tom Brady the best quarterback of all time?
Srinivasan: With reluctance, I'd say yes, but due to his longevity. As a relative unknown, Brady's Patriots knocked off the Greatest Show on Turf-era St. Louis Rams, then proceeded to defeat an upstart Carolina Panthers team and finally Donovan McNabb's Philadelphia Eagles. Brady's victories paint a picture of the history of football through the past 15 years, and a win against the young, tenacious defending champion Seahawks would cement a career that compares to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Gordie Howe in terms of overall consistency.
Woods: Yes. Brady's resume will be complete with a record-tying fourth ring. Though he will finish behind Peyton Manning in all the compiler categories (career yardage, etc.) unless he plays into his 40s, Brady long ago shed the game manager label and proved he's capable of individual numbers as lofty as any of his peers. With one more Super Bowl title, Brady's regular-season numbers will set him apart from Joe Montana, and his playoff results will set him apart from Manning, Brett Favre and Marino. He's the clear choice as GOAT.
Wilkins: The quarterback debate is always a tough one - with so many all-time greats having played in such different eras - but I say yes. A fourth Super Bowl title would tie him for the most of any quarterback, while the sixth appearance in the big game is already a record. Add in the fact that he currently holds the highest regular-season winning percentage, and we only begin to understand just how good Brady has been over his 15-year pro career.