How messed up is this, $90 thousand compared to $90 million?

The NFL wasn't the cash cow back then that it is now. The league profits billions more nowadays. They also didn't have a ridiculous CBA back then that benefits players so much. Its obviously a problem that a guy like Peppers is making $90mil or a rookie like Bradford signs a $78mil deal before he ever plays a game. Thats exactly why there may be a lockout.