- Joined
- Jan 14, 2013
- Messages
- 13,435
- Name
- Vernon
http://theramswire.usatoday.com/201...urley-leveon-bell-contract-extension-dispute/
One of the hottest debates in the NFL this season was the one comparing Todd Gurley to Le’Veon Bell, wondering who was the better all-around running back. They had very similar seasons – Gurley had 2,093 yards from scrimmage compared to Bell’s 1,946 – ranking first and second, respectively, in that category.
They probably watched each other fairly closely this season as they competed for the rushing title, but it should be Gurley keeping an eye on Bell this offseason for a different reason. Bell made headlines this week by saying he’d consider sitting out next season, or possibly even retiring, if the Steelers placed the franchise tag on him for a second straight year.
It’s highly unlikely it’d ever get to that point, but the fact that it’s even a conversation is fairly telling of Bell’s stance on the one-year tag. Gurley isn’t in the same situation, but he very well could be in a couple of years.He’s under contract through 2018, and if the Rams exercise his fifth-year option, he’ll remain in Los Angeles through 2019. That’s the likeliest scenario, and it’s the exact one Aaron Donald’s in right now.
However, Bell’s offseason could have big implications on Gurley’s financial future because it’s almost certain that Le’Veon will become the highest-paid running back in NFL history. Right now, Devonta Freeman is the top-paid back in the league, making an average of $8.25 million per year.
Bell is going to get at least $10 million per year whenever he signs a long-term extension, but his reign as the richest running back in the league probably won’t last very long. Whatever amount of money Bell gets, Gurley is likely to surpass in a few years.
That is, unless the Rams take a similar approach to his contract as the one the Steelers took. Here’s one possible timeline for Gurley:
Another possibility is that the Rams extend him next offseason before his fifth-year option kicks in, the way many expect them to with Donald this offseason. That would be a costlier move for the Rams, but it would help Gurley secure his future financially.That’s why Bell’s contract situation could have a ripple effect on the Rams and Gurley. If he’s franchise tagged again, the Rams wouldn’t have a baseline on which to pay Gurley. He could “set the market” in 2019, so to speak, which isn’t necessarily a good thing for him.
However, if Bell gets, say, $12 million per year for four years this offseason, it would put pressure on the Rams to give Gurley a contract north of that in 2019 or the following offseason.Put simply, Gurley wants Bell to get as much money as possible right now to set up an even more lucrative payday for himself down the line. That’s why he’s siding with Bell on Twitter, defending him in this contract dispute with the Steelers.
One of the hottest debates in the NFL this season was the one comparing Todd Gurley to Le’Veon Bell, wondering who was the better all-around running back. They had very similar seasons – Gurley had 2,093 yards from scrimmage compared to Bell’s 1,946 – ranking first and second, respectively, in that category.
They probably watched each other fairly closely this season as they competed for the rushing title, but it should be Gurley keeping an eye on Bell this offseason for a different reason. Bell made headlines this week by saying he’d consider sitting out next season, or possibly even retiring, if the Steelers placed the franchise tag on him for a second straight year.
It’s highly unlikely it’d ever get to that point, but the fact that it’s even a conversation is fairly telling of Bell’s stance on the one-year tag. Gurley isn’t in the same situation, but he very well could be in a couple of years.He’s under contract through 2018, and if the Rams exercise his fifth-year option, he’ll remain in Los Angeles through 2019. That’s the likeliest scenario, and it’s the exact one Aaron Donald’s in right now.
However, Bell’s offseason could have big implications on Gurley’s financial future because it’s almost certain that Le’Veon will become the highest-paid running back in NFL history. Right now, Devonta Freeman is the top-paid back in the league, making an average of $8.25 million per year.
Bell is going to get at least $10 million per year whenever he signs a long-term extension, but his reign as the richest running back in the league probably won’t last very long. Whatever amount of money Bell gets, Gurley is likely to surpass in a few years.
That is, unless the Rams take a similar approach to his contract as the one the Steelers took. Here’s one possible timeline for Gurley:
- 2018: $2.3 million salary, $4.4 million cap hit
- 2019: about $7 million for fifth-year option
- 2020: $13+ million for franchise tag
Another possibility is that the Rams extend him next offseason before his fifth-year option kicks in, the way many expect them to with Donald this offseason. That would be a costlier move for the Rams, but it would help Gurley secure his future financially.That’s why Bell’s contract situation could have a ripple effect on the Rams and Gurley. If he’s franchise tagged again, the Rams wouldn’t have a baseline on which to pay Gurley. He could “set the market” in 2019, so to speak, which isn’t necessarily a good thing for him.
However, if Bell gets, say, $12 million per year for four years this offseason, it would put pressure on the Rams to give Gurley a contract north of that in 2019 or the following offseason.Put simply, Gurley wants Bell to get as much money as possible right now to set up an even more lucrative payday for himself down the line. That’s why he’s siding with Bell on Twitter, defending him in this contract dispute with the Steelers.
