AB's Contract

I just read an article that AB's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, is in Pittsburgh today to discuss his contract. This is on the heels of Rosenhaus finalizing an extension for another one of his clients, TY Hilton, for 6 years/65 million. AB's current contract pays him 6, 8.25, and 8.71 each year respectively with exactly none of that guaranteed.

I would be ecstatic with a new contract for AB that keeps him in Pittsburgh until he's 32-33 that's like a 4 or 5 year extension I believe? His price will only go up every year after this, so guaranteeing some money and paying him out on the back end could be very good for our team.

The article is a SteelersDepot article if anyone wants to check it out.

 

You knew this would be coming. Drew Rosenhaus has to make a killing off these players.
That being said. He has 3 years left on his deal, yes out has outplayed his contract.
But, I would be surprised the Steelers to do anything. They usually don't even start negotiating new contracts
until a player has a year left on it. But T.Y. Hilton just signed a 6 year at 65 million. AB is 27 years old. I would have no problem
with him being around till he was 33 or 34 years old. I think he works harder at his craft than any NFL WR, even the great Jerry Rice
has said this. But, I can't see the Rooney's or the Steelers doing it. They just don't work that way. But, how often does a WR this good come around.

 

AB has done everything perfectly right after an initial misstep in this contract situation. His initial negative comments on the contract were worrisome, but I have no doubt that Rosenhaus was telling him what to say and he trusted him and listened. Then after the immediate fan backlash to those comments, I think AB took a step back and realized that he is smarter than to ostracize himself to the fanbase and the team.

What he did then was quickly made several positive "team first" comments and kept on putting in all kinds of extra time working on his game and being a great teammate. Smart guy. He put those flames out very quickly and I would almost guarantee that will be the last time he listens to Rosenhaus when he tells him to put media pressure on the team and try these posturing tactics.

 

AB is the 3rd highest paid player on the roster right now, his cap number is 9.7 million, we dont have a lot of wiggle room left on the cap to be talking about a new contract this year, maybe next year there could be room for negotiating, at least let the ink dry on his last contract before a bandit like rosenhaus starts screaming for more money: Heres our cap situation presently...

http://overthecap.com/salary-cap/pittsburgh-steelers

 

They could rework his contract to keep it the same this year or even lower it if it means more guaranteed for him. There are options, plenty of them. Cap is expected to rise significantly over the next few years. It might be smart to lock him in now. But what's there to stop him from requesting a another contract 2 or 3 years from now. AB is a special player that doesn't come around too often. That said, it would set a dangerous precedent.

 

I agree with most of this. There are plenty of options that will make AB happy that won't ruin our cap space. I think that it would be smart to lock him in now because his price a few years from now could be much higher based on market value. There is only one AB, and I'd love to have him on our team during the entirety of his prime. Although, I don't believe this would set a dangerous precedent...

How many players sign a (relatively) big contract then disappear? Some lose their fire and don't improve, and some even get lazy and regress. How many people on here got really frustrated with Woodley? How many people wanted to force him to take a pay cut or force him out? I think it works both ways. Yes, AB signed a nice contract... Then he kept pushing and became an All-Pro and arguably the best at his position. I think that deserves a reward IMO. We might not have another situation like this for a decade or more. I don't think anyone is going to point to AB and say they deserve more too. Some guys are just exceptions to the rule. We have a guy who is a hard worker, leader, and total stud on the field... While being a great person and role model off of it. These guys don't grow on trees. Lock him down.

 

He's locked down for 3 years, they paid him 45 million to become the best, the reward will come when he is in his contract year, somehow fans think because a player is playing good and earning the big money he got on his contract, that somehow he deserves more and more and there is never no end to what these agents think their player is worth, when a union signs a contract with management they cant go back and ask for more money because the workers have out performed their contract and the profits went up, they work under that contract until it ends, the same should apply to these players, the steelers took a chance when they handed him a big contract, they should not let him set a precedent by negotiating a new deal 3 years early.....

 

He would have to take a huge pay cut if we want to lower his cap number. Extending his deal doesn't get rid of the cap money from the two restructures he did. I believe he actually counts for like 12 million against the cap right now with 3 million of it being from the bonus money. It makes no sense for the Steelers to redo his deal right now. We are talking about a team that said Franco who and refused to even talk to Ward until he arrived at camp. In two gear he will get a new deal and if he holds out next year fully expect the Steelers to fine him.

 

Yup, nothing wrong with starting talks to let the player know they are important. Start the preliminary stuff now, and then finish up after the season.

I wouldn't worry about setting a new precedent. If another of our 6th round picks wants to develop into arguably the best player in the league, then I'd be fine reworking his deal at the 2-year mark as well.

 

Perhaps a case of the agent saying: "my client might be asking for this kind of money after the season rolls around... so maybe you should think about that when you're deciding who else to extend..."

 

I commented on thread earlier this year regarding this, and my stance is the same. I love AB, but he has zero leverage here. What's he going to do? He's clearly not holding out this year. So is he willing to hold out the next two and not only miss out on salary, but also be fined weekly in 2016 & 2017—I doubt it. His best course of action is to continue to dominate and look to re-up when he has one year remaining, which would fall in line with how the Steelers do business with every position except QB.
Personally, as much as I love AB, if I'm the Steelers I don't talk new money for two years, see how Bryant progresses, which may make AB expendable (crazy talk right now I know, but lots can happen in two full seasons). He's 27 now, that means we'd negotiate when he's 29...I'm not real excited about giving a nearly 30 year old receiver big money.

 

I'm not really worried about his age. He hasn't had any major injuries and keeps himself in top shape year round. If this was ten years ago I would agree with but with the new rules he could easily play until he is 35

 

I don't disagree that he stays in shape etc..But this is really just gambling. And I'd follow the trend for the position. And if he got the contract at 29 that he'd seek (expecting it would be elite money) he'd already be over paid since he'd be past his peak. So you'd be overpaying for his present service. Not saying this is article (below) is 100% accurate. But this is all gambling to a degree, and I'd look at the trends for the position regarding peak performance—which seems to be around age 28 for WR. I'm sure pro teams have more concrete metrics they use for determining worth...but us commoners have to rely on the google box. Interesting read.....http://www.rotowire.com/football/showArticle.htm?id=17189

 

Only problem is how long until drew rides into town saying brown already outplayed the new gig?

 

I'm sure he's already saying this, he's a d-bag...And I'd say, your client is 3 football seasons from legit free agency—and has no leverage. What's he going to do, advise his client to hold out for 3 years—or 2 i guess since he's all in for this year? Or till week 10 every year...so he still can claim free agency status at the end of his contract? It's really all about next offseason for a potential stare down. And players always blink, because they don't want to give up any of their money. In my opinion, Bryant is the wild card. If he continues to progress and reaches his potential, then the Steelers can take the hardball stance. And I'd let AB walk rather than overpay. Just my opinion. Today's NFL is set up for QB/WR, you can find production...look at Emanuel Sanders in Denver???

 

I'm in the Union.
The company I work for gives out performance bonuses. It's the only way they can keep their good employees. There's nothing in our contract that says they can't pay us more individually.
These veteran players sign individual contracts with the teams, they can negotiate whatever they want above the vet minimum.

 

It's amazing how many Steeler fans hate Rosenhaus considering that we've never had any problems with him.

 

Like the time Rosenhaus wanted James Harrison suspended? http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...s-harrison-should-be-disciplined-by-steelers/

 

One would think that an agent would be informed enough to know that Harrison wasn't a Steelers employee because of the lockout thus he could say what he wanted with impunity.

 

I have watched how the Steelers have done business for 50 years,
AB is currently my favorite Steeler, and a SUPERSTAR. He makes football fun to watch again, that being said I do not expect the Steelers to do
anything in the near future. It is what it is.

 

AB will expensive, there's no doubt about it. But as has been said before, the team will not start the negotiations now. He's got too much left on his contract, and the last thing they want to do is increase his cap hit even more.
What I'd really like to know though is how do I become a sports agent. Really, what does Rosenhaus actually do? Maybe I should call up AB and tell him I'll take 1/4 of the pay that his current agent is getting. Think about it. If the agent takes less, AB keeps more, so he won't need a larger contract to make up the difference on what he's losing to an agent. Seems like a win-win to me.

 

The issue is if the Steelers cave, then it opens up the flood gates. Yes he is worth more and below is a story on how it could be done without all the fanfare. I don't believe they will tare up the current deal. If nothing can't be reached it will happen next season.
http://espn.go.com/blog/pittsburgh-...own-could-get-reworked-contract-with-steelers

 

As others have said. AB doesn't have a lot of leverage here, but in my eyes he sure does deserve to get PAID.

He is the best WR in the league IMHO, and deserves a raise. Or at least paid like a Top 10 wr: 10-13 million per year seems fair.

We sure have had luck drafting WR's, but I think I read somewhere it was Arians who was the one who "discovered" A.B. I think it is foolish to think guy like him grows on trees.