NFL training camps will be opening over the next two weeks, and 70 percent of the drafted rookies have not yet signed their contracts. Since NFL players not under contract aren’t allowed to participate in training camp, it seems that clubs will be starting camp short on players.
But the slow pace of rookie signings is not drastically different than in previous years, said Mark Levin, NFLPA director of Salary Cap & Agent Administration. “The normal routine with most rookie signings in the NFL is that both clubs and player-agents wait until the last moment to reach a deal,” he said. “The hope is that they get the best deal possible.”
As of July 10, 79 of the 252 draft picks had agreed to terms (including three in the first round, one in second, 10 in the third, 14 in the fourth, 12 in the fifth, 20 in the sixth and 23 in the seventh). Though not enough rookies have signed to get an accurate assessment on increases in guaranteed dollars, most players outside of the first two rounds have received signing bonus increases in the 2.5 to 4 percent range.
Typically, in rounds three through seven, players and clubs negotiate over just a few issues, including length of contract, amount of signing bonus, performance levels the player must reach to achieve future year base salary escalators, and “split” contract years. “Split” contract years allow the club to pay the player a lower salary should the player get injured and placed on the injured reserve list. Just about every draftee in these rounds will have a “split” in at least the first year of his contract.
Levin said this year’s class of signings might be slowed further by the changes in contract negotiation rules put into effect since the owners opted in May to terminate the CBA early. Also, the NFLPA recently filed a Special Master proceeding regarding the salary cap effect of guaranteed salary in the uncapped years (2010 and beyond) that may cause many first and second-round draft picks to further delay agreeing to contract terms.
“In the end, players want to play, and clubs are anxious to put their teams together,” Levin said. “So if this year holds true to past seasons, then the clubs and player-agents will be real busy the next two weeks finalizing negotiations for contracts and making sure their players get to camp on time.”
But the slow pace of rookie signings is not drastically different than in previous years, said Mark Levin, NFLPA director of Salary Cap & Agent Administration. “The normal routine with most rookie signings in the NFL is that both clubs and player-agents wait until the last moment to reach a deal,” he said. “The hope is that they get the best deal possible.”
As of July 10, 79 of the 252 draft picks had agreed to terms (including three in the first round, one in second, 10 in the third, 14 in the fourth, 12 in the fifth, 20 in the sixth and 23 in the seventh). Though not enough rookies have signed to get an accurate assessment on increases in guaranteed dollars, most players outside of the first two rounds have received signing bonus increases in the 2.5 to 4 percent range.
Typically, in rounds three through seven, players and clubs negotiate over just a few issues, including length of contract, amount of signing bonus, performance levels the player must reach to achieve future year base salary escalators, and “split” contract years. “Split” contract years allow the club to pay the player a lower salary should the player get injured and placed on the injured reserve list. Just about every draftee in these rounds will have a “split” in at least the first year of his contract.
Levin said this year’s class of signings might be slowed further by the changes in contract negotiation rules put into effect since the owners opted in May to terminate the CBA early. Also, the NFLPA recently filed a Special Master proceeding regarding the salary cap effect of guaranteed salary in the uncapped years (2010 and beyond) that may cause many first and second-round draft picks to further delay agreeing to contract terms.
“In the end, players want to play, and clubs are anxious to put their teams together,” Levin said. “So if this year holds true to past seasons, then the clubs and player-agents will be real busy the next two weeks finalizing negotiations for contracts and making sure their players get to camp on time.”
