However, the NFLPA acts in the best interests of the players, and in order for them to give, they’re going to have to get. With regards to rookies, instead of an actual salary scale, I think the NFL is going to simply lower the Rookie Pool Money allotted for rookies, which would in turn, lower their salaries. The Rookie Pool has been set, and it would not be prudent for the NFLPA to make sure that its rookies didn’t leave any money left on the table designated to them. If the NFLMC wants to push this, they are either going to have to allow a greater amount of guaranteed money or shorter initial contract lengths. As an agent, you want to strive to reach the end of your client’s contract as soon as you can, in order to have the opportunity to negotiate a new deal. While renegotiation clauses can be put into a player’s contract as you noted above, any rookie is allowed to renegotiate his initial player contract after his second season in the NFL, regardless if he signed a 5 or 6 year deal (whether the club allows it is a different story).

As far as veterans go (and possibly for rookies as well), it is obviously your duty as an agent to get your client the best contract possible (your thoughts of flexibility in a player’s contract is right on the money). Instead of trying to get renegotiation clauses in a contract, a much more simple and beneficial approach would be to sign a shorter contract for your client (the NFLPA would love to see their agents renegotiate as many contracts as possible for their players). This would allow for accelerated mandatory renegotiation, and if the player has enough accrued seasons under his belt, he can hit the open market and cash in on his hard work and success. Another route that may help out the clubs a little more is to add “Not Likely to Be Earned” incentives into the player’s contract. This is more risky for the agent and player, but would put the player’s ego in his ability to the test. These incentives do not count against the cap until the player actually earns them, and basically tells the player: “You think you’re worth it? Go out their and prove it.” While not the first option for a player to take, it may enter in lieu to some guaranteed money that the club is unwillingly to dish out.

It will be interesting to see what unfolds over the next year or two and many of these issues may become moot, depending on how much the salary cap gets renovated.

Rank Among Running Backs (Based on Rushing Yards)
2004 – 32
2005 – 14
2006 – 5
2007 – 17

I don’t think that his demands for a contract extension are that unreasonable. He’s proved that he is capable of being an elite NFL running back and can perform at a consistent level that puts him in the top half overall of the starting running backs in the league, even when coming back from an injury.

Obviously, the Rams want him back on the field, making an offer to pay him $7 million yearly putting him only behind Larry Johnson, Clinton Portis, and LaDainian Tomlinson in salary. It is said he is looking for $20 million in guaranteed money. It seems like it basically comes down to this: the Rams are willing to pay him as a top running back, but Jackson wants to be paid as THE top running back, which he is not.

Yet, I don’t agree with his decision to hold out this long from practice. He raked up over $100,000 in fines. More importantly, he is missing valuable practice time considering STL is revamping their offense under new coordinator Al Saunders, who wants to make Jackson the centerpiece of the offense. He says that he is working out at home and staying in shape, but missing snaps when your team is implementing a new offense and losing chances to work on timing, routes, blocking assignments, and all the other little details can hamper your progress in picking up the offense and possibly slow your progress into the season.

This is where I think what I proposed would be effective. Jackson would have probably met the criteria set forth in a rookie contract to renegotiate his deal last offseason or at least by this one. Also, if he wasn’t happy with the money that St. Louis was offering him, then he could have the right to refuse their right to pick up the option for the 4th year, making him a Restricted Free Agent, either going to a team who is willing to pay him what he wants, or forcing to Rams to pay a market value to keep him.

Here is another interesting article on the situation that puts a little more perspective on it.
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/rams/story/FF738AC3C28AC7C1862574950014C906?OpenDocument