After reporting earlier today that the NFL Players Association was considering a vote on whether to reduce agent fees from a maximum of 3% to a max of 2%, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk hears from multiple sources that the union discussed a possible reduction, but won’t make any changes.
Two sources tell Florio that a small group of players, including Richard Sherman and Rashad Jennings, were in favor of a fee reduction, but the discussion ended up focusing instead on educating players on their right to negotiate a fee lower than 3%.
The conversation comes at an interesting time, in the wake of Russell Okung negotiating his new contract without an agent of his own. While Okung was able to get something done without having to give up a 3% fee, his deal arguably wasn’t as player-friendly as the majority of the other contracts signed this month, as I discussed earlier today. Agents could point to Okung’s lack of guaranteed money as a reason why they’re worth that 3% cut.
Here are a few more odds and ends from around the NFL:
- Veteran guard Willie Colon, who is currently a free agent after spending the last three years with the Jets, said during an appearance on ESPN New York 98.7 FM that he’s contemplating retirement. “I’m on the fence. I still haven’t decided if I’m gonna go or not go,” Colon said, adding that he doesn’t want to rush his decision.
- As Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune details, new Vikings tackle Andre Smith couldn’t pin down just one reason why he decided to sign in Minnesota as a free agent, citing Mike Zimmer‘s presence, the opportunity to join a winner, and the chance to compete for a starting job.
- In his latest mailbag, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com praises some of the Lions‘ free agency decisions, but says the team didn’t significantly upgrade any position, adding that there are a few “concerning places” on the roster.
- Mike Klis of 9NEWS sets the stage for next week’s NFL owners meetings in Boca Raton, Florida, suggesting that Colin Kaepernick, the 49ers, and the Broncos will receive plenty of attention, even if nothing major happens with the Kaepernick trade talks.