A Modest Plan for Free Agency

[WarnerToBruce]

This Cousins deal concerns me deeply that this will make it even more difficult to keep homegrown talent.

Maybe I am in the minority (I don't think so actually), but I would love for there to be MORE, not LESS importance on drafting well.

So, I say DO THIS:

• After 4 years from draft (5 for QB), player can sign binding letter of intent with any team
• Original drafting team has right to match LOI
• If team does not match, player moves on immediately under terms of binding LOI
• It team matches, then any amount > than the calculated franchise tag for that position (this would have to be modified slightly in this plan but would be standard for all teams), WOULD NOT COUNT AGAINST THE CAP FOR THAT TEAM
• Once a player moves on, they are not entitled to the special privilege of the HOMEGROWN RULE (for lack of a better term) ever again

Example: Franchise Tag is $15M for DT. AD gets offers for $20M from Cowboys. Rams match $20M, $15M of which counts against their cap. (Franchise tag for DT moves to $20M next season most likely).

Like the NBA, the NFL would probably have to add some luxury tax language as well for their total salaries, but IMHO this would help keep our teams together longer.

Flame away.

 

[fearsomefour]

The most interesting part of the Cousins deal, as reported, is a 100% guarantee. That won't become the norm.
Absurd to think Cousins could end up the highest earning QB in history.

 

[Mackeyser]

This Cousins deal concerns me deeply that this will make it even more difficult to keep homegrown talent.

Maybe I am in the minority (I don't think so actually), but I would love for there to be MORE, not LESS importance on drafting well.

So, I say DO THIS:

• After 4 years from draft (5 for QB), player can sign binding letter of intent with any team
• Original drafting team has right to match LOI
• If team does not match, player moves on immediately under terms of binding LOI
• It team matches, then any amount > than the calculated franchise tag for that position (this would have to be modified slightly in this plan but would be standard for all teams), WOULD NOT COUNT AGAINST THE CAP FOR THAT TEAM
• Once a player moves on, they are not entitled to the special privilege of the HOMEGROWN RULE (for lack of a better term) ever again

Example: Franchise Tag is $15M for DT. AD gets offers for $20M from Cowboys. Rams match $20M, $15M of which counts against their cap. (Franchise tag for DT moves to $20M next season most likely).

Like the NBA, the NFL would probably have to add some luxury tax language as well for their total salaries, but IMHO this would help keep our teams together longer.

Flame away.

I like it.

I think the NBA does a lot of things better than the NFL including their CBA.

I wouldn't even be bothered with guaranteed contracts like in the NBA, but they'd have to allow for some cap relief if a top talent got injured before or early in the season.

I don't like that so much about winning in the NFL has to do with stuff NOT on the field...

 

[Psycho_X]

It's a nice idea but no way the NFLPA would ever go for less freedom for players to choose what they do after their rookie deal. That is where a player makes most of their money and usually the only leverage a player has in his entire career.

But you're right, the Cousins deal sets a new precedent moving forward for top tier free agent contracts.

 

[WarnerToBruce]

It's a nice idea but no way the NFLPA would ever go for less freedom for players to choose what they do after their rookie deal. That is where a player makes most of their money and usually the only leverage a player has in his entire career.

I disagree. The main reason a player leaves is for mo' money. This is handled in the plan. They are getting max market value.

If the player truly wants to leave (AD to Cowboys in my example), it would be silly for the Rams to match it and force a guy to play in a place he hates. Most of the time, players would even take LESS to stay with their teams given the hassle of moving their families/uprooting their lives.

 

[LACHAMP46]

hmmmm....no thoughts...just interesting take.