04-15-2020, 08:53 PM
It really has hit the point where I see the contracts the top end backs get and think "That's a bad deal already." It seems like the long extensions are really hurting teams because they're sitting in the same spot we are, saying that our guy is special and he definitely won't be like the others. Unfortunately, most of these extensions ending up being the same and devolve into an albatross.
Yes, Mixon has played above his contract, but that's the value of the draft and getting talented players in. Eventually you have to make some hard decisions on who you give money to because you can't pay everyone, especially if you want to supplement and build up the offense or defense down the line. I think we're arguing two different sides, but the truth is somewhere in the middle. If Mixon comes back on an affordable contract, that's great! But the threat of a holdout isn't going to help anyone and the last two to do it in Gordon and Bell didn't end up any happier because of it. Gordon got usurped by Austin Ekeler's breakout and Bell had James Conner take his shine.
A Mixon holdout is going to give opportunities to Rodney Anderson and Trayveon Williams, both of whom were held in high regard, but fell for various reasons last year. Anderson, who fell because of injury history, has a chance to make some waves because he's shown the skills to be able to catch the ball out of the backfield. Williams also showed the capability to catch the ball out of the backfield in college.
I would hope that Mixon looks at the market, and then at the possibility that with Burrow in town, there's a chance that the gameplan changes and they move in a different direction without him. If the team succeeds, then both sides will have some interesting choices to make.
I also wonder if Taylor, seeing the struggles of the Gurley contract in Los Angeles front and center will influence the decision to sign a back long term, but who knows.
Yes, Mixon has played above his contract, but that's the value of the draft and getting talented players in. Eventually you have to make some hard decisions on who you give money to because you can't pay everyone, especially if you want to supplement and build up the offense or defense down the line. I think we're arguing two different sides, but the truth is somewhere in the middle. If Mixon comes back on an affordable contract, that's great! But the threat of a holdout isn't going to help anyone and the last two to do it in Gordon and Bell didn't end up any happier because of it. Gordon got usurped by Austin Ekeler's breakout and Bell had James Conner take his shine.
A Mixon holdout is going to give opportunities to Rodney Anderson and Trayveon Williams, both of whom were held in high regard, but fell for various reasons last year. Anderson, who fell because of injury history, has a chance to make some waves because he's shown the skills to be able to catch the ball out of the backfield. Williams also showed the capability to catch the ball out of the backfield in college.
I would hope that Mixon looks at the market, and then at the possibility that with Burrow in town, there's a chance that the gameplan changes and they move in a different direction without him. If the team succeeds, then both sides will have some interesting choices to make.
I also wonder if Taylor, seeing the struggles of the Gurley contract in Los Angeles front and center will influence the decision to sign a back long term, but who knows.
