Tag: contract negotiations

Chiefs C Creed Humphrey reveals mindset during contract negotiations for historic deal

Kansas City #Chiefs C Creed Humphrey reveals mindset during contract negotiations for historic deal | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs made another big splash last week contract-wise by retaining one of their star players long-term before the start of the 2024 season.

Chiefs starting center Creed Humphrey addressed the media on Monday, only days after signing a contract extension to remain in Kansas City.

“I’m in the perfect situation for me; I’m playing in a place that I get to call home. And it’s been awesome to call home the past four years, and I’ve really enjoyed it. So getting this opportunity is awesome.” said Humphrey. “The guys around (here) coaching staff, everything is top notch here, obviously, getting to play with Pat (Patrick Mahomes) things like that, the whole situation, is perfect for me, so I’m really happy to be here.”

The news broke last Thursday night before the final preseason game, with Creed becoming the topic of discussion. There is potential for a change in the market with a center being paid the same value as most guards around the league.

“I think that’s something that everybody wants to do for the sake of everybody in the NFL,” said Humphrey. “It’s good for everybody in the NFL. So, yeah, I’m excited about it again. They did a great job. I just had a great job negotiating; it was a good process. And I’m excited about the way it turned out and ready to play four more years here.”

Humphrey’s extension is worth $72 million over four years with a $50 million guarantee. He is currently the highest-paid center in the league but maintains the same mindset of helping the team win another Super Bowl title.

“Yeah, for me, I never really thought about it. I’ve just tried to stay focused on ball, and that’s how I’ve approached this whole thing, to stay focused on ball and proving what I can every day,” said Humphrey. “So, it was never really something that I was too busy straining thinking over too much.”

Humphrey will be in the lineup on September 5th when the Chiefs host the Baltimore Ravens in the opening game of the 2024 regular season.

Stephen Jones: ‘Zero thought process in not having CeeDee being a Dallas Cowboy’

From @ToddBrock24f7: Stephen offered a calm counterpoint to Jerry’s comments regarding the All-Pro WR’s contract status, giving fans hope that a deal is coming.

While Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was riling up the fanbase with his flippant comments about the lack of urgency in getting a new deal done with All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, his son Stephen was telling a slightly different story.

The younger Jones, the team’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, made it clear that the Cowboys are in no way preparing for life without Lamb.

“Zero thought process in not having CeeDee being a Dallas Cowboy,” he told Ed Werder and Matt Mosely on Thursday on The Doomsday Podcast.

But then, with his very next words, he immediately reminded the world that Lamb is already locked in for 2024.

“CeeDee can’t go play anywhere. He’s under contract, and we have franchise tags available, so CeeDee’s not going to be playing anywhere but Dallas. But we want this to be a great situation for him when we’re all said and done, but also a great situation so we can put a great football team on the field.”

Stating Lamb’s contractual status in such stark terms won’t win any brownie points, but it’s the cold, hard truth.

And the other 90 guys who are actually in camp were, in fact, more of a focus this week as the team made a procedural roster move that raised a few eyebrows. Lamb was placed on the Reserved/Did Not Report list on Tuesday, but Jones explained that the purpose of the re-designation was to open a temporary spot for a defensive depth player, and that nothing more should be read into it.

“I don’t think it says anything,” he said. “We just knew we had that roster spot, and when [Lamb] reports- which we certainly believe he will, at some point- hopefully with a new contract. We continue to make progress. Things are very cordial.”

Cordial, perhaps, because nothing at all has really happened of late. Clarence Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that Lamb’s agent has been in Paris at the Olympics and just returned to the States.

It’s possible, then, that the lack of urgency has been on both sides of the negotiating table.

Jones admitted that Lamb’s extended no-show means the timing between him and quarterback Dak Prescott may have taken a minor hit, but he knows that the two have put in work together over the offseason. And with their connection entering its fifth year, it’s not like they’re just getting to know one another on the football field.

The upside, Jones says, is that the team’s younger wide receivers- including Ryan Flournoy, Jalen Cropper, David Durden, Tyron Billy-Johnson, and Jalen Brooks- have gotten reps they might not have seen otherwise. That will only help the club with whichever pass-catchers eventually make the regular-season roster.

But coming to new financial terms with the team’s trio of superstars is nevertheless high on the front office’s to-do list, Jones maintains.

“It’s a great situation to have, but it’s challenging when you have one of the top quarterbacks in the league and then you’ve got two of the best non-quarterback players in the league, Micah Parsons and CeeDee Lamb.

“It’s a negotiation that we’re obviously having to work hard at because you also, at the end of the day, want to be able to put some other players [on the field]. Those three guys can’t go out and play the game by themselves.”

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Of course, most Cowboys fans will quickly point out that without any of those three players in uniform and on the field, the team’s chances of winning games on anything resembling a regular basis absolutely craters.

The stage seems set for a late-camp announcement on a new deal for Lamb, similar to the one that brought guard Zack Martin back to Oxnard in mid-August of last year, or the record-breaking extension that running back Ezekiel Elliott signed in September 2019 after an even longer holdout (that itself seemed rather contentious, at least until Jones and Elliott were peddling T-shirts making fun of that whole “Zeke Who?” saga).

There’s still plenty of time for a deal to happen. The Cowboys are notorious for delaying as long as possible, dominating the summer news cycle with breathless will-they-or-won’t-they conjecture and then swooping in to look like heroes right before things get real, both saving their cash-cow players (who weren’t going to play in the preseason anyway) from any possible exposure to injury and using the break to develop their newbies.

And this time, it’s Stephen Jones who is suddenly the voice of reason, giving Cowboys fans cause to hope that the offseason of dragging their feet has simply been part of a larger plan.

“It’s certainly something that’s very doable, and we plan on doing it, because we want all three players here and we think we have the best chance to win a championship by having those three players on our roster.”

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Chiefs OL Trey Smith on contract status: ‘I don’t look at all that stuff’

Kansas City #Chiefs OL Trey Smith on contract status: ‘I don’t look at all that stuff’ | @EdEastonJr

The NFL Draft has been a vital component of the Kansas City Chiefs’ success, with many of their players being homegrown within the franchise. The dilemma with hitting on top picks is the attempt to try and secure them long-term with a contract that lives up to their production.

Chiefs offensive guard Trey Smith has been an impactful player on the offensive line since joining the franchise. He is up for a potential contract extension, but during his conversation with the media after Sunday’s practice, he had other things on his mind.

“Oh, no. I’m just playing College Football 25,” said Smith. “Honestly, (I’ve) been taking my dynasty. Memphis Tigers and Coach Mo Breezy.”

Smith’s decision to pivot to another topic was clear evidence that he didn’t want to discuss the details of his future.

“I don’t look at all that stuff, man; I worry about what my coaches tell me; I worry about how they feel about me,” said Smith. “If I do my job at a high level, everything else is going to take care of itself. That’s all I’ve got to do, keep working and do my job at a high level.”

Nick Bolton, Creed Humphrey, and Noah Gray are the other notable players up for contract extensions. The season could determine their future in Kansas City, as it will be challenging to keep them all long-term.

Chris Jones addressed his return to Chiefs after Wednesday’s practice

Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones addressed his return to the team after Wednesday’s practice. | from @EdEastonJr

The new contract agreement between the Kansas City Chiefs and All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones immediately changed the outlook of the team’s defense. The lengthy holdout that stretched into Week 1 displayed the critical nature of business in football and its effect on an entire franchise’s plans.

Jones finished practice on Wednesday afternoon with plenty of reporters awaiting his thoughts on the new deal and ongoing negotiations for an extension.

“I chose my representation years ago. I made the decision not to come to camp, I didn’t want to be a distraction of holding in, and I’m super pleased with how it turned out,” Jones explained. “I’m back in the building, I’m excited to be back, (I’m) thankful for the organization (because) they were able to boost my salary up to make up for the fines, and everything.

“I’m super grateful for that. We’re focused on winning the next game. We have the Jacksonville Jaguars, very good team. (We’re) Coming off a loss to the Detroit Lions, which is tough but were looking for a bounce-back week.”

The Chiefs and Jones are still facing more negotiations regarding his status long-term since the new deal doesn’t extend beyond this season. Jones has made it a point throughout the rest of the year not to make it a distraction and to handle it during the offseason.

“I can’t look forward to next year,” Jones said. “Right now, we focus on I’m glad to be back this year. This is my last year. Hopefully, we can get some worked out after the year for the long term. I have reiterated multiple times. I plan to play for the Kansas City Chiefs for the long haul in my career. That doesn’t change because of the past situation. And we focus on Jacksonville. We’re focused on Jacksonville.”

Jones is expected to start in Sunday’s game against the Jaguars as the Chiefs seek their first win of the 2023 season.

Chris Jones comments on relationship with Chiefs front office

Chris Jones commented on relationship with the #Chiefs front office, specifically general manager Brett Veach. | from: @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs will be more potent heading into Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars following their agreement with All-Pro Chris Jones to return to the team. The new one-year deal raised a lot of eyebrows following months of negotiations. A long-term contract extension still has yet to materialize.

The lengthy hold-out throughout training camp and the entire preseason cast doubt around the front office on their relationship with Jones during this process. General manager Brett Veach has consistently maintained to the public that he communicates with the multiple-time Pro Bowler. However, as weeks went on, he was still waiting for results. During Wednesday’s press conference, Jones addressed his relationship with Veach and head coach Andy Reid.

“I think reporters and fans kind of misdrew the contract thing. It’s never personal.” said Jones, “I don’t think I’ve started hating (Head) Coach (Andy) Reid, or disliking (General Manager Brett) Veach. I love Veach you know, he knows I love him, we had on-and-off conversation throughout it all. Coach Reid, I love him too, with him still calling (and) texting. We actually have a group text.

“Veach said that I retweeted a picture where it said ‘Chris Jones after season (compared to), Chris Jones offseason’ where I was big with no neck, and we actually had a little joke about that through the midst of it, so I don’t think our relationship was affected any by that, they know how much I love this organization, they know how much I love this team. I don’t think that (the holdout) affected any part of our relationship.”

Jones ended 2022 as one of the elite pass rushers in the league and was known for closing out several games for the Chiefs. His presence will be welcomed as the team visits Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

Andy Reid: ‘There has been no communication’ between Chiefs, Chris Jones

Andy Reid told reporters that “there has been no communication” between the #Chiefs and star defensive lineman Chris Jones.

Chris Jones’ contract dispute with the Kansas City Chiefs has extended through the first two weeks of the preseason, and an end isn’t in sight.

Head Coach Andy Reid shared an update on where things with Jones stand on Wednesday after Kansas City’s practice session.

“There has been no communication so I don’t know [if Jones will be present for week one],” Reid said. “Whatever happens, happens. [The] game goes on, right? That’s how it works.”

When asked if he had become involved with the negotiations with the star lineman, Reid made it clear that he is leaving those discussions to the Chiefs’ front office.

“No, right now there is not [a way to get involved in the negotiations],” Reid continued. “[Jones and the front office] have to communicate, do their thing. There’s just been no communication.”

The lack of communication between both sides may be an indication that a contract agreement is not close to materializing. Jones’ asking price may be so astronomically high that the front office has decided to stop negotiations.

Or, It could be a cat-and-mouse game, as each side waits for the other to cave.

With two weeks until the Chiefs’ opener against the Lions, it is becoming more unlikely that Jones will be playing for Kansas City in 2023 on a new contract.

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Brandon Staley says extension negotiations are ‘ongoing’ with QB Justin Herbert

Staley told reporters on Monday that extension talks with quarterback Justin Herbert are “ongoing”

It should come as no surprise to Los Angeles Chargers fans that the team is highly motivated to get a deal done on an extension for quarterback Justin Herbert, who is set to become a free agent at the end of the 2023 season. While the Chargers are currently hamstrung by a less-than-ideal financial situation relative to their salary cap, the price they will pay to secure Herbert’s services for the foreseeable future will only go up.

According to one report, head coach Brandon Staley told reporters that negotiations with Herbert on an extension are “ongoing” though no timetable for when ink might hit paper was provided.

Los Angeles’ financial inflexibility will come to play a key factor in talks with their star quarterback, and cuts may be necessary next season to make room for Herbert’s inflated cap number. It is unknown how this might impact the Chargers’ roster in 2024, but the sooner the team can reach an agreement with Herbert the better their chances will be to manage their salary cap in such a way that minimizes the impact on their starters moving forward.

Lamar Jackson requested trade from Ravens, says team isn’t ‘interested in meeting my value’

Jackson took to Twitter to set the record straight about his negotiations with the #Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens are at an impasse in their negotiations with MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson. After months of speculation and reports of stalled talks between the two parties, Jackson took to Twitter to set the record straight, though his statement raises more questions than answers for the Ravens and their fans.

In his explanation of the current situation, Jackson says he requested a trade on March 2, which was before the Ravens tagged him. He’s left no doubt about his desire to leave Baltimore to play for another team next season. Though the Ravens seem to have the leverage to bring him back, these latest developments paint a grim picture for the team, which is looking to cement itself as a serious Super Bowl contender in 2023.

While this was not the news fans in the Charm City hoped to see on Monday morning, Jackson’s posts should clarify the ongoing circumstances surrounding his extended free agency saga. The Ravens will be sure to use every tool they have to ensure that the quarterback remains a keystone in their offensive attack next year, though Jackson’s status as an invested member of the organization is growing more questionable by the hour.

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Former Ravens OT Orlando Brown Jr. shares thoughts on QB Lamar Jackson

Former Ravens tackle Orlando Brown Jr. gave his opinion on Lamar Jackson

While the Baltimore Ravens have been quiet so far in free agency the team has been one of the most talked about franchises of the offseason, and for good reason. The circumstances surrounding their negotiations with quarterback Lamar Jackson remain mired in mystery, and as time passes, it seems that an extension for the MVP signal caller will continue to be a hot topic for the foreseeable future.

Former Ravens offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. made his feelings on the matter known in an ESPN interview on Thursday. He told the crew on “Get Up” that he believes Jackson deserves a fully guaranteed contract, saying that his status, his ability his leadership and his qualities off of the field make him qualified for fully-guaranteed money.

“His status, his ability, the things that he’s shown as a leader, his qualities off the field, I don’t know if there’s anybody more deserving right now,” Brown said. “I personally believe he definitely deserves a fully-guaranteed deal.”

Brown just signed a contract with the Cincinnati Bengals that provided generous guarantees and seems to think that Jackson deserves every bit as much, if not more than he got. Negotiations with Jackson are ongoing, and with no end in sight, Ravens fans will have to wait to see just how much money Baltimore will be willing to shell out to keep their franchise quarterback under center for years to come.

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Ravens DL Calais Campbell says QB Lamar Jackson wants to be in Baltimore

Ravens defensive lineman Calais Campbell spoke about the situation surrounding quarterback Lamar Jackson

The Baltimore Ravens still have not been able to resolve their situation with quarterback Lamar Jackson, who looks to be asking for a fully-guaranteed contract. While reports of ongoing negotiations with Jackson have been scarce to this point in the offseason, veteran defensive lineman Calais Campbell told reporters on NFL Network that the superstar signal caller wants to be in Baltimore long-term.

Speaking about the ongoing negotiations, Campbell made it clear that despite the potential leverage that free agency gives players who wish to seek a change in scenery, Jackson wants to get a deal done. The defensive lineman mentioned how he wants to stay with the Ravens, and that the fact that he wants to get something done is the most important part.

This development should bode well for the Ravens if Campbell’s assessment is correct. Without their franchise quarterback under center, Baltimore’s legitimacy as a contender in the loaded AFC would be questionable at best, and any desire on Jackson’s part to stay put in Maryland would be good news.

For now, though, Ravens fans will have to sit tight and hope that something of substance develops as Baltimore makes their offers for a long-term deal that would secure his services for years to come.