Testaverde to Seek at Least $1.6 Million as Pro, Agent Says

The agent for Heisman Trophy winner Vinny Testaverde said a yearly contract of at least $1.6 million will be sought from the National Football League team that selects the University of Miami quarterback.

Testaverde, who guided Miami to an 11-1 record and a No. 2 ranking last season, is expected to be the top choice in the NFL draft April 28. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the No. 1 pick.

Bob Woolf, the Boston-based sports attorney who represents Testaverde, said some NFL general managers have told him that Testaverde may be the best quarterback to come out of college.

“That reminds me of Larry Bird, because general managers and scouts told me the same thing when he came out of college,” Woolf said, referring to the basketball star.

Woolf, who represents Bird, of the Boston Celtics, and former Heisman Trophy winner Doug Flutie, now a quarterback with the Chicago Bears, said the average yearly salary for an NFL quarterback is $1.6 million. Woolf said he did not know the length of the contract he will seek for Testaverde and said he is in no hurry to do anything.

Testaverde said he would be “very happy” to play for Tampa Bay.

“Tampa Bay is close to where I played my college ball, and the warm weather will help me,” the quarterback said.