Vikings' Jerome Simpson: I'm worth more than what I'm getting paid
The Minnesota Vikings took a chance on Jerome Simpson in March 2013, re-signing the veteran wide receiver to a one-year, $2.1 million deal following his disappointing 2012 campaign.
Simpson rewarded the Vikings with a career-high 726 receiving yards (second only to Greg Jennings) last season, his sixth in the NFL, and appeared to be in line for a pay raise. Instead, he saw his salary cut by more than half.
The 28-year-old was arrested in November 2013 on suspicion of DWI, eventually pleading guilty to lesser charges. It was his second brush with law as a Viking, and a contributing factor to him settling for a one-year, $1-million deal to remain with the team.
"I can't lie. I was definitely surprised that I get paid less than what I got last year," Simpson told the St. Paul Pioneer Press on Wednesday. "I had my best numbers. But I guess when you got that negative thing on you, they kind of got you behind the 8-ball."
Unlike his previous contract, which included a $500,000 signing bonus, Simpson has no guaranteed money in his new deal.
"I know I'm worth more than what [his current contract] was," Simpson said. "But I made my bed, so I got to lay in it. I got to just keep improving and move on and make plays. When it's time to get paid or whatever and get the contract I deserve, then it's going to happen."
Simpson said there were "a couple" of other offers on the table in free agency, but would not provide specifics.
"I really wanted to come back [to Minnesota]," he said. "That was my first option."