The Chicago Bears have no notable contract issues to worry about in the imminent future save for nose tackle Eddie Goldman and safety Adrian Amos. Neither would classify as paramount situations. It’s a rare situation for a team to be in and one they hope to remain for some time longer. However, there is something on the horizon that could develop into a serious issue.
One of the biggest contract standoffs in the NFL as of now is that between the Pittsburgh Steelers and star running back Le’Veon Bell. After failing to reach a long-term agreement last year, it was hoped the two sides could find that common ground this time. They failed. Despite receiving a five-year offer worth $70 million, Bell refused.
He contended that the Steelers were trying to pay him as a running back while it’s his belief he should be paid like an offensive weapon. Especially since he accounts for 30% of the Steelers offense. Now expectations are he’ll be a free agent in 2019. The interesting part is he likely won’t be the last case to encounter this problem.
Jordan Howard could become a big contract issue for Chicago Bears
Several star running backs are slated for big paydays in the near future. David Johnson and Todd Gurley will be up not long after Bell for their own deals. The same goes for Dallas Cowboys star Ezekiel Elliott. Dan Graziano of ESPN believes teams are going to balk at paying big money to these backs, despite their obvious talent, creating some contentious contract negotiations.
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“Le’Veon Bell’s situation isn’t going to be the last difficult running back contract over the next couple of years. Running back is a weird position. Because of the rookie wage scale and the relative stagnation of veteran running back salaries, a back taken in the top five or 10 picks of the draft these days instantly becomes one of the highest-paid backs in the league.
Teams aren’t getting bargains on backs taken that high the way they are with quarterbacks and pass-rushers on their rookie deals. This is why the Cowboys are going to have a problem when Elliott’s rookie deal ends.”
As of today, the highest-paid running back on a long-term deal is Devonta Freeman of the Atlanta Falcons. He signed a five-year deal with $41.25 million last year. That averages out to $8.25 million per season. Keep in mind that Jimmy Garoppolo, who started just seven games in his career, received a deal that will pay him $27.5 million per year by San Francisco. Julio Jones, who had less than 300 yards more and scored five fewer touchdowns than Freeman last season, is earning $14.25 million per year.
One can understand why running backs feel.
They seem a bit cheated in these money negotiations. They have to endure more physical punishment and feel they should be compensated for it. Howard is another in that group. He’s already entering Year 3 of his four-year rookie contract. He’s gone over 1,200 yards from scrimmage two-straight years with 16 touchdowns in that span. Undoubtedly the workhorse of the Bears offense.
He’s been doing that making less than $700,000 a year to this point. Anybody would like to be rewarded for such hard work with a lucrative new deal. The problem is will GM Ryan Pace be willing to even approach the likely asking price some of these other backs are or will demand? It’s hard to imagine that happening, which creates fascinating situation to watch.
