Jimmy Graham has been going through arbitration because he’s listed as a tight end but wants to be paid like a wide receiver.  The grievance filed was for franchise tag purposes as the deadline loomed for franchised players to sign long term contracts.  Well he just agreed to a new contract with the New Orleans Saints that will make him the highest paid tight end in NFL history.

The Saints and Pro Bowl tight end Jimmy Graham have agreed to a four-year, $40 million deal that includes $21 million guaranteed, a source familiar with the deal told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

The deal makes Graham the highest-paid tight end in NFL history, eclipsing the deal signed in 2008 by former Indianapolis Colt Dallas Clark, who got $27.55 million in the first three years of that deal.

Over the past three years, Graham has led all NFL players with 36 touchdown catches while averaging 90 catches, 1,169 yards and 12 touchdowns per season.

Graham confirmed the news on his Twitter account this morning.

 

– Shaina Auxilly (@Shay_Marie)

July 15, 2014