I think it’s no different than McDavid taking 12.5m/year when he could have asked for a max contract.
Maybe helping his team is worth the difference in salary.
You are familiar with compound interest I’m sure
So 100k reinvested at 4% for 8 years would roughly be worth $140k at the end of 8 years
Same goes for inflation. $140k in 2032 may buy what $100k today does
Roughly 100k today's is worth the same as $140k in 2032
So lets say your employer offered you a deal, 8 years $800k total
Averages out to $100k per year
But they would pay you $205k the first year and then 85k for 7 years after that
Or they say we can pay you 8 years $840 k, average of $105k a year
But you only make $105k the first year, 85k a year for 7 years and then at the end of the 8th year you get a $140k bonus
The second scenario may seem like more money overall, and in basic terms it is but they have equal value from a wealth standpoint for you
And most people would prefer to take the money upfront to pay off a high interest car loan, mortgage etc or simply invest hoping to get better than 4%
For example, a normal person with a $400k mortgage at 5%, if they took that extra $100k and put it down on their mortgage at the beginning of their “contract “ they would owe $150k less on it at the end of 8 years. So the lower total value $800k contract is actually worth more
Tldr
Jarvis contract has the same value as an 8 year 59.6m deal it just looks like it’s worth more