08-16-2021, 03:30 PM
(08-16-2021, 12:25 PM)fredtoast Wrote: Not sure if the Bengals are "lowballing". Look at the number of players who become free agents every year from teams all over the league. None of those teams were able to work out deals with players. So is EVERY team across the league "lowballing" their players?
The bigger the contract the more negotiating that is required. Many times the deal is hung up over the number of years or the amount guaranteed instead of just the salary offered. Sometimes with older players they will take a contract with big numbers on the back end that neither side thinks will ever get paid. Both players and agents like to point at the big amount of the total contract even if they don't think they will collect it all. But Bates is so young that he should still be in his prime at the end of this deal.
And finally, the Bengals could come out way ahead by keeping Bates this year for less than $3 million and making him the highest paid safety in the league next year. Bates, like every NFL player, wants a raise before his contract is up. It is a big value to him to get big guaranteed money now and not risk getting injured this year. So if he wants that security he will have to give something back.
I still think it will get done if Bates really wants to be hear. I know he has said in public that he wants to stay, but that is what 99% of players say when they are trying to get an extension. Many times they "change their mind"when they actually hit free agency.
Well said. Sometimes players will leak something out during negotiations to put pressure on the team by the fanbase etc. It's a poker match much of the time.
