Chapter 564 Undercurrent
In this offseason, in addition to Cousins’ fully guaranteed contract, Smith’s transfer to the Washington Redskins, and the contract renewal negotiations between the Green Bay Packers and Rodgers, what the industry is most concerned about is Bell's contract.
The reason is——
running back.
Since proving that he won the starting position in his rookie season, Bell has been the league's most dominant running back, averaging more than four yards per carry for four consecutive seasons; he advanced 860 yards in thirteen games in the 2013 season, and in the 2015 season due to He only played six games due to injury and still gained 556 yards. In the other three seasons, he all gained over 1,000 yards on the ground.
There is no doubt that Bell is the best and most consistent running back since Peterson.
It's not just about statistics. Only players who actually face Bell on the field can feel the dominance displayed by this young running back.
and.
In the 2017 season, Gurley of the Los Angeles Rams and Levi of the Kansas City Chiefs both showed top-level dominance, and the role of running backs suddenly became highlighted, especially when the Kansas Chiefs, whose main quarterback is not considered the core, won the Super Bowl. It brings a new possibility.
Perhaps, the role of running back has more possibilities than imagined.
So, can the running back command a max salary?
As of the 2018 offseason, the annual salary of quarterbacks is about to exceed 30 million U.S. dollars. Even quarterbacks like Cousins, who are not the top players in the league, can earn 28 million U.S. dollars. Annual salary, what about running backs?
This offseason, the two top running backs are both negotiating contract extension terms.
One is Gurley of the Los Angeles Rams. He finally signed a four-year, $60 million contract, of which the guaranteed portion was $45 million, and the annual salary was $15 million, making him the first player in history. Highest-paid running back.
What kind of historical significance does Gurley's contract have?
First, he surpassed the seven-year, $96 million contract Peterson signed with the Minnesota Vikings and raised his annual salary by a lot.
Secondly, the guaranteed salary of 45 million US dollars also exceeds Peterson's 36 million that year, which is a new beginning for the veteran running back.
Finally, the second-highest-paid running back in the league this year is Devonta Freeman of the Atlanta Falcons. His annual salary is only $8.8 million. In other words, Gurley Became the only running back with an annual salary of more than 10 million.
Despite this, in the current contract, Gurley's annual salary only ranks 43rd in the NFL, and the gap is even more obvious compared to four points.
However, Gurley still fought his way through and secured a big contract for the running back.
One is Bell of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The league is watching and looking forward to it. Even Gurley has received such treatment. Does this mean that Bell can continue to break the ceiling?
However.
Not really.
The Pittsburgh Steelers hit Bell with the exclusive franchise tag for the second consecutive year when free agency opened.
The entire league was in shock.
what does that mean?
Exclusivity means that Bell is not allowed to negotiate with other teams, eliminating the possibility of Bell seeking a higher contract through other teams.
But at the same time, they refused to offer Bell a contract with a higher number.
According to the rules, the salary of an exclusive franchise tag contract is no less than the average of the five highest annual salaries at the same position next season, or 120% of the player's salary in the previous year, whichever is higher.
So, this means that the annual salary number of the franchise tag contract given to Bell by the Pittsburgh Steelers is $14.5 million.
Lower than Gurley.
Of course, negotiations are still ongoing, and Bell's back-and-forth with the Pittsburgh Steelers continues as he refuses to sign the exclusive franchise tag contract.
Until the voluntary training camp kicked off.
Bale was undoubtedly absent. The Pittsburgh Steelers official said: Don't worry, negotiations are still continuing. Bell is still a Steeler and believes that the matter can be resolved properly.
However, is this really the case?
There are endless rumors within the alliance.
Even Donald Yu called Levi to complete communication with Levi on this issue.
Donald supports Bell because he also hopes to be awarded a record-breaking contract by Levi. All running backs, especially the top running backs in the pyramid, are all in the league. Only relying on the power of one person cannot break the prejudice and shackles of the entire league. They They are all partners who help each other.
But at the same time, Donald needs to protect Levi. Levi is only in his second year and his foundation is too shallow. If he is involved in the controversy at this time and is labeled a thorn in the side by team owners and managers, then the difficulties he will face in subsequent operations will be More, he couldn't let Levi fall into the whirlpool of controversy.
So, there's a fine line here. Although Donald believed in Levi's intelligence and abilities, they still needed to be on the same page.
Likewise, Hunter, a running back, is also ready to make a move.
However, Hunter always disliked Levi, so it was difficult for him to lower his head and start talking.
To be honest, Levi wanted to make a joke and continue to watch Hunter's black face, but this topic was really not suitable, and he swallowed the words that came to his lips.
"Of course I support him." Levi didn't beat around the bush.
Hunter glanced at Levi, slightly surprised, but after thinking about it, he looked back, "Are you willing to support him publicly?"
Regardless of whether Hunter likes Levi or not, as the new Super Bowl MVP and the best running back in the league last season, the weight of Levi's words is naturally different, so he suppressed his irritability and dissatisfaction and continued to ask.
Levi nodded, "Of course."
At this time, it was inevitable, and Levi also knew that he needed to come forward.
But that’s not all. “At the same time, we also need to focus on training. You should know that we are only sophomores and we still don’t have enough say in the league.”
Not to mention the second-year running back, the same goes for the second-year quarterback.
"The best support and support is to prove one's worth on the field. If more and more outstanding running backs play the role of changing the game, and more and more eyes are focused on running backs, our words can be heard. ”
"Rather than hoping that those team owners will give up their interests and bow their heads first, we should focus on ourselves, believe in ourselves, and rely on our power to change the game..."
Then, use public opinion to build momentum.
Indeed, this is a professional league, and interests come first; but at the same time, this is also a competitive sport, and there is nothing that cannot be solved by a championship trophy.
If not? Then just two seats.
As long as there are enough wins, fans, media, professionals, and the league will be able to see it and form a voice that will completely change the difficult situation for running backs.
but.
Hunter was impatient to wait for Levi to continue and interrupted rudely, "Naive."
"Do you think things are that simple? Just change the result of the game? Even if we change the result of victory or defeat, the media will say it is the quarterback's credit, and the team owner will not see our efforts."
"We still need a leader. Gurley has taken a step, and the next step is Bale."
"As long as Bell can take this step, our voices can be heard."
(End of chapter)