DAILY DIRT: Ummm … this has not been money well spent

We’re keeping with this weekend’s football theme, today looking at some out-of-this-world (and rather unwise) contracts NFL teams have given quarterbacks … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,072 of The Daily Dirt

1. Much has been made of the disaster in Cleveland that is quarterback Deshaun Watson, especially from a financial standpoint.

The Browns are paying Watson roughly $45 million a year to be average (at best), a move the team will likely plague the team in numerous ways in the coming years. Not only from the ridiculous contract awarded Watson through 2027, but the ensuing fallout from the six draft picks (including THREE first-rounders) Cleveland surrendered.

But take heart, Cleveland fans. Your team has not been alone in recent years in giving out what looks like silly (can we just say stupid?) contracts. Here are a few more prime examples:

• The Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence signed a five-year, $275 million extension ($55 million per year) in June. Jacksonville is 0-8 in its last eight games with a struggling Lawrence.
• The Bengals, currently 0-3, also signed Joe Burrow to a five-year, $275 million deal in 2023. He has spent 50 percent of his career on injured reserve.
• The Dolphins (Tua Tagovaoila) and Packers (Jordan Love) also signed their quarterbacks to those $55 million deals, and both QBs are now injured and not playing. Tagovaoila’s career is even in jeopardy from problems associated with concussions.
• The Chargers are paying Justin Herbert $52.5 million and recently hired a run-oriented coach. What?
• The Eagles’ Jalen Hurts is banking $51 million a year and “inconsistent” might be the kindest description of his play since what looked like a breakout season in 2022.
• The Broncos once traded two first-round picks, two second-round picks and more for Russell Wilson. Denver is now paying $37.8 million of his $53 million salary while he sits on the Steelers bench, due to injury problems (and overall ineffectiveness).

Obviously, awarding those NFL quarterback salaries is from any sort of exact science.

2. Did you know (Part 136)

• That a man sold a “ghost in a jar” on eBay for $55,922 in 2003. 
• That a tissue actress Scarlett Johansson blew her nose in on a 2008 TV talk show sold on eBay for $5,300.
• That ants never sleep and they don’t have lungs.
• That the fork you use in a restaurant has likely been in the mouths of thousands of other people.
• That chewing gum burns about 11 calories per hour.
• That it is illegal to carry ice cream in your back pocket in Kentucky.

3. Here are some things to look forward to during the coming holiday months:

• There will be a new “Shirley Temple” 7-Up, a cherry and pomegranate soda. Now this sounds interesting … and it will be available in both regular and zero sugar versions.
• PopTarts will be rolling out a new Marshmallow Hot Cocoa flavor.
• Skittles “Fuego” will have a spicy chili-type coating on all of its flavors. Hmmmm …
• Trident gum will be offering new Cotton Camdy and Strawberry Lollipop flavors.
• Ruffles’ Double Crunch Hot Wings chips are making a return.

Steve Thought O’ The Day – Why do we call it hamburger if it’s made of beef?

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. He still regrets buying “Ghost in a jar.”