Tag: NFL collective bargaining agreement

How proposed new CBA fifth-year option could affect Bears with Mitchell Trubisky

The NFL is proposing a new collective bargaining agreement, which would change the current fifth-year option and impact Mitchell Trubisky.

There are a slew of changes that would come with the NFL’s proposed new collective bargaining agreement. From a 17-game regular season to 14 playoff teams, there are several changes in the new CBA up for vote by the NFL Players Association after NFL owners agreed to terms.

One of those changes is regarding the fifth-year option for first-round rookies. While the current fifth-year option is guaranteed for injury only, the new proposal would have the option guaranteed in full — only the amount of the option would be dependent on a player’s performance rather than draft position.

Now, this could impact the Bears this season, as this would go into effect if the new CBA is agreed upon.

So let’s take a look at exactly what that would mean for Mitchell Trubisky, who still hasn’t had his fifth-year option picked up by the Bears.

  • Trubisky’s fifth-year option would be fully guaranteed, not for injury only
  • It would cost the Bears less money than it would right now (roughly $24 million on current CBA)
  • The Bears have until May to pick up Trubisky’s fifth-year option

The goal is to hit on your first-round selection and sign an extension instead of the fifth-year option. But that hasn’t been the case for the Bears.

Trubisky struggled mightily in his third season, where the entire offense was on life support. Still, the Bears gave up a lot — and passed on two star quarterbacks — to draft Trubisky at No. 2. So it’s not enough for Trubisky to be okay. He needs to be great. And unfortunately at this point, that doesn’t appear to be the case.

If this new CBA proposal goes through, you have to wonder if the Bears will forgo Trubisky’s fifth-year option. Either they part ways with him after next season or, by some miracle, sign him to an extension.

Chicago also picked up outside linebacker Leonard Floyd’s fifth-year option last offseason, and they currently have until the start of the new league year on March 18 to cut him. If not, his $13.2 million salary becomes fully guaranteed.

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Jets RB Le’Veon Bell not happy with another NFL drug test

Le’Veon Bell is not happy with having to take another HGH blood test.

Le’Veon Bell is at war with the NFL drug testing program once again.

After vowing not to take any more drug tests back in November, Bell is facing another HGH blood test ahead of the Jets’ Week 17 matchup with the Buffalo Bills. Bell received a note in his locker on Friday that stated he was being subjected to complete a doping test immediately — something he did not take too kindly to.

It is unknown whether or not Bell took his HGH blood test. He spoke to reporters on Friday, but it seemed like he stuck to his word from a month ago.

“I said what I said last time & we’ll take it from there & cross that bridge when we’ve got to cross it,” Bell said.

Bell has been tested five times this season and under the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement, players can be tested a maximum of six times in a season. However, these tests are supposed to be random. It seems to be anything but random for Bell, who has passed every single one of his tests.

“I feel like they’re trying to clone me or something,” Bell said.

The 27-year-old running back has had a history with banned substances before. In 2014, he was suspended two games after being charged with marijuana possession and DUI. Meanwhile, in 2016 he was suspended four games for missing a drug test.

If Bell doesn’t take the latest league-issued test, he could be subject to suspension.

Jets RB Le’Veon Bell calls out NFL for repeated drug tests

Jets running back Le’Veon Bell called out the NFL for drug testing him five times in the last 10 weeks.

Jets running back Le’Veon Bell has had enough of the NFL’s drug-testing program.

Bell lashed out on Twitter on Wednesday morning, calling out the league for randomly drug testing him five times in the last 10 weeks. He then said he’s not doing any more drug tests for HGH because he has passed them every single time and doesn’t like needles.

Bell then spoke to the media about it on Wednesday afternoon. He continued to tell reporters that he is not a fan of needles and instead would rather drop his pants and pee in a cup. Bell understands that drug tests are a part of his job, but he is starting to get suspicious of the system.

“Is it random, though?” Bell asked. “Why do I feel like every time they’re here doing an HGH testing, I get picked?”

Per the NFL collective bargaining agreement, players are not subject to more than six tests a year. So while Bell is upset about getting picked, the league and the players union are well within their right to test Bell five times in 10 weeks. If Bell were to be picked for another test and refuse, he would be subject to discipline from the league.

“If we got to cross that bridge when we get there, then we got to cross that bridge when we get there,” Bell said.

The 27-year-old running back was suspended for two games back in 2015 for  DUI and marijuana possession charges. The next year, he was suspended for three games for missing a random drug test.

Now, Bell’s biggest issue is the method, not the fact that he’s been tested so many times. He was very clear about his disdain for needles.

“I’m not doing it no more,” he said. “They’re not getting no more of my blood.”