Thoughts on Loyalty?

[*SHRacerX*]

(08-26-2019, 09:24 AM)Luvnit2 Wrote: Clay Matthews was not offered a contract in 2019 after playing 10 years and 6 pro bowls for the Packers.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001044378/article/clay-matthews-heartwarming-homecoming-he-never-saw-coming?3

We have some guys coming up soon (AJ and Dalton to name 2) and others who have big contracts (Geno and Carlos).

How would you react if MB suddenly showed no loyalty to aging stars? BTW, Clay signed with the Rams and will be playing where he played in college and close to home again. Whitt is a team mate.

Cuts are coming. Trades are possible. Should FO and MB choose loyalty over winning?

I don't think the two have to be mutually exclusive.  

The Bengals have almost always honored a contract that they have signed without terminating it early.  There are not many teams with that kind of loyalty.  Has it helped them attract FAs?  Not at all...because the system is such that these agents make a % every time a new contract is signed.  I don't think they advice their clients that Cincy almost always honors the contracts.  If I were the Bengals, I would point that out to any prospective FAs.

In terms of Dalton/Green and the aging vets Dunlap and Geno, it will really be situational.  If all of a sudden, Carlos drops off the table, you would have to consider his release.  However, if any or all of them continue their production, I would honor the contract.  

I don't see any way they extend Gio beyond his current deal and he is a model player and teammate, but his production doesn't measure up to his contract whatsoever.  Now, people may argue that Marv and co never used him correctly.  We will see what ZT has in mind.  But there will have to be some tough decisions moving forward.