Latest news with #contractNegotiation
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Shemar Stewart's agent goes public about Bengals contract standoff
The Cincinnati Bengals are closing in on Shemar Stewart being the only unsigned first-round pick in the NFL. Updates on the contract standoff over the team attempting to insert new language in regards to voiding guarantees continue to trickle in, too. Advertisement Next up are public comments from Stewart's agent, Zac Hiller. 'Obviously my job, and all agents' job, is to protect the players,' Hiller said on SiriusXM NFL Radio (h/t Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk). 'Simply put, Shemar would, of course, love for his contract to be as protective as the rest of his Bengals teammates in the past. And, simply put, the way the contract currently reads is not as protective.' RELATED: Bengals, Shemar Stewart nuclear option includes 2026 NFL draft route Hiller added this, per Florio: 'If you want to make changes to your precedent, it should be a negotiation. It should be give and take. It shouldn't just be, 'Hey, we're changing this and sign it or go scratch.'' Advertisement So, at least from the player's side of things, the Bengals have attempted to change their longstanding contract precedent on this front without any sort of counterbalance to make it work. That, or what they're offering isn't good enough and justifies this very public, messy standoff. At this point, we're in he said, she said territory. Not that the Bengals say much about anything, really. What's interesting from Stewart's side is that had he been drafted elsewhere, these language quirks would've likely already been in place and none of this would've happened. Ditto for his choosing, unlike other unsigned rookies, to not participate at all this spring and early summer, before bashing the team in an interview and leaving minicamp early. Interesting from the Bengals' side, of course, is the sudden desire to change contract precedent and whether or not they're offering enough to make it worth it for Stewart to be the first. Advertisement As always, this likely ends in one side blinking and reaching across the aisle to make it work. RELATED: Bengals standouts after mandatory minicamp includes surprises This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Shemar Stewart's agent goes public about Bengals contract standoff
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Top Liverpool star is 'DISAPPOINTED' with club's contract offer and 'rejects' it - as fears mount that he could 'do a Trent Alexander-Arnold'
Liverpool risk losing Ibrahima Konate on a free next summer after the defender reportedly rejected their initial contract extension offer. Konate is said to be 'disappointed' with Liverpool's proposal because he wants a higher basic wage. The France international, 26, was a bastion of their Premier League title triumph under Arne Slot but only has a year remaining on his deal. There are fears that he could run down his contract and leave for free, as Trent Alexander-Arnold almost did before sporting director Richard Hughes squeezed a £10million fee out of Real Madrid. His camp are pushing for an improved basic wage after Liverpool structured their offer with too many performance-based bonuses, according to The Guardian. Liverpool are known to be stubborn negotiators but did get renewals over the line for Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk last season, with Fenway Sports Group relenting on their habit of denying extensions for players over 30. Konate quickly established himself as a favourite under Slot and started all bar two of the Premier League games that he was eligible for. So impeding was his form for Jarell Quansah that the youngster has has opted to leave Anfield, agreeing a £35million move to Bayer Leverkusen at the weekend. Real Madrid are interested in Konate while Atletico Madrid have apparently made Andy Robertson one of their top targets, so Liverpool's defence may look drastically different in a year's time to what it did last season. Liverpool hope to re-open talks with Konate this summer but do not want to overpay. As Mail Sport reported last week, Liverpool have joined the race for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi. He is heading into the last deal of his deal at Selhurst Park and Palace's bargaining power is weaker than it was a year ago, when they turned down a £65m offer from Newcastle. Jarrad Branthwaite has also been considered by the Anfield hierarchy but signing a player from city rivals Everton would be tricky. Joe Gomez is also still at Liverpool and Arne Slot likes his leadership qualities though he missed a chunk of last season through injury. Liverpool are not pushing him towards the exit door.
Washington Post
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
Buffalo Bills RB James Cook in attendance for team's mandatory practice amid contract concerns
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills running back James Cook put aside his contract concerns — and avoided the potential of being fined — by attending the start of the team's three-day mandatory series of practices on Tuesday. 'Business is business at the end of day, and I respect his decision to be here and be amongst the team,' coach Sean McDermott said before practice. 'We need everyone to win.' Cook's attendance comes after he went public with his desire to negotiate a contract extension while entering the fourth and final year of his rookie deal. He was the NFL's co-leader in rushing touchdowns with 16 last year, and skipped Buffalo's six previous spring practices and month-long workout sessions, all of which were voluntary. Cook was selected by Buffalo in the second round of the 2022 draft out of Georgia. His older brother is Dalvin Cook, best known for his six seasons in Minnesota and who spent last year appearing in two games with Dallas. In February, Cook informally began his public negotiation by posting the message '15 mill year' on his Instagram account. A month later, during an appearance on a podcast with former NFLers Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson, Cook said, 'Pay me the big bucks,' and adding, 'I want to get what I asked for.' He also made the case for his fellow NFL running backs being underpaid in saying: 'I feel like we deserve to get paid,' and asking, 'How (are) we not valuable?' In April, Cook listed his Buffalo-area home as being for sale. General manager Brandon Beane has on several occasions noted how much he respects and values Cook, while also acknowledging the two sides aren't on the same page in contract talks. In late March, Beane specifically referenced Cook in announcing he was cutting off contract discussions to focus on the draft. 'Just because we don't have James signed today doesn't mean next year we still can't get him done before he gets to free agency,' Beane said. 'We want him to have success. We're rooting for him ... But we are where we are, and there's no hard feelings from us.' Cook proved to be the odd-man out in Beane's offseason binge of signing core players to multiyear contract extensions. The group was made up of quarterback Josh Allen, receiver Khalil Shakir, edge rusher Greg Rousseau, linebacker Terrel Bernard and cornerback Christian Benford. Cook's 16 touchdowns rushing matched a Bills single-season record set by O.J. Simpson, and he also scored two more receiving. He was part of a Bills offense that finished second in the NFL in averaging more than 30 points per outing. After scoring just two touchdowns rushing in each of his first two seasons, Cook's jump in production coincided with Joe Brady's first full season as Buffalo's offensive coordinator , and the team's initiative to have Allen rush less to reduce exposing him to injury. ___ AP NFL:
Associated Press
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Bills RB James Cook present for team's mandatory practice amid contract concerns, AP source says
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills running back James Cook put aside his contract concerns — and avoided the potential of being fined — by attending the start of the team's three-day mandatory series of practices on Tuesday, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because coach Sean McDermott isn't scheduled to address the media until later in the day. The Athletic first reported Cook was present at the team's facility. Cook's attendance comes after he went public with his desire to negotiate a contract extension while entering the fourth and final year of his rookie deal. He was the NFL's co-leader in rushing touchdowns with 16 last year, and skipped Buffalo's six previous spring practices and month-long workout sessions, all of which were voluntary. Cook was selected by Buffalo in the second round of the 2022 draft out of Georgia. His older brother is Dalvin Cook, best known for his six seasons in Minnesota and who spent last year appearing in two games with Dallas. In February, Cook informally began his public negotiation by posting the message '15 mill year' on his Instagram account. A month later, during an appearance on a podcast with former NFLers Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson, Cook said, 'Pay me the big bucks,' and adding, 'I want to get what I asked for.' He also made the case for his fellow NFL running backs being underpaid in saying: 'I feel like we deserve to get paid,' and asking, 'How (are) we not valuable?' In April, Cook listed his Buffalo-area home as being for sale. General manager Brandon Beane has on several occasions noted how much he respects and values Cook, while also acknowledging the two sides aren't on the same page in contract talks. In late March, Beane specifically referenced Cook in announcing he was cutting off contract discussions to focus on the draft. 'Just because we don't have James signed today doesn't mean next year we still can't get him done before he gets to free agency,' Beane said. 'We want him to have success. We're rooting for him ... But we are where we are, and there's no hard feelings from us.' Cook proved to be the odd-man out in Beane's offseason binge of signing core players to multiyear contract extensions. The group was made up of quarterback Josh Allen, receiver Khalil Shakir, edge rusher Greg Rousseau, linebacker Terrel Bernard and cornerback Christian Benford. Cook's 16 touchdowns rushing matched a Bills single-season record set by O.J. Simpson, and he also scored two more receiving. He was part of a Bills offense that finished second in the NFL in averaging more than 30 points per outing. After scoring just two touchdowns rushing in each of his first two seasons, Cook's jump in production coincided with Joe Brady's first full season as Buffalo's offensive coordinator, and the team's initiative to have Allen rush less to reduce exposing him to injury. ___ AP NFL:
Washington Post
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
Commanders minicamp starts with a question: What is Terry McLaurin worth?
It's starting to feel a lot like 2022. Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin skipped much of the team's offseason program that year while seeking a new contract with a season remaining on his rookie deal. He avoided voluntary organized team activities and faced the possibility of a hefty fine for missing mandatory minicamp as negotiations stalled and tensions mounted.
