The Indianapolis Colts signed kicker Adam Vinatieri to a new contract Tuesday evening. Adam Schefter is reporting it is a two-year deal worth $6 million, with $1 million in guaranteed money. Patriots beat writer Ben Volin is also reporting there is $1 million worth of incentives in the contract.
I bring this up because we have not heard a peep about San Francisco 49ers kicker Phil Dawson. The 49ers signed him to a one-year deal in 2013, and then signed him to a two-year deal in 2014. That last deal was worth $6.134 million, and included a $2 million signing bonus.
My guess is Dawson will be in line for something similar to Vinatieri. Dawson turned 41 in January, while Vinatieri turned 43 in December. Although Vinatieri is older, he is also a slightly bigger "name" for many folks. I think Dawson's next deal ends up less than Vinatieri, but probably not all that much.
It remains to be seen whether that deal will happen with the 49ers or not. The team is getting younger at a variety of positions, but with a lot of cap space, extending Dawson would retain a solid veteran. Of course, if the 49ers recognize they are in the midst of a re-building project, it might make sense to find a young kicker in the draft and develop him.