Third overall selection Sam Darnold‘s holdout from Jets training camp is related to the default language regarding his guaranteed money, reports Rich Cimini of ESPN.com.
New York’s offer to Darnold includes language that would void the former USC’s quarterback guaranteed money if he were to fined by the NFL for either an on- or off-field violation, per Cimini. Other rookie signal-callers, such as Baker Mayfield and Josh Allen, do not have such a clause in their respective contracts, and no top-three selection in any of the past 10 drafts has had such language in their deals.
However, this is standard language in Jets contracts, tweets Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap, so New York is adhering to its own precedence. And as Mike Garafolo of NFL.com notes (Twitter link), it’s wholly unrealistic to believe Gang Green would void Darnold’s ~$30MM in guarantees if he receives a simple fine from the league.
Indeed, it would likely require an extraordinary situation for this language to ever factor into Darnold’s contract. No. 8 pick Roquan Smith is dealing with the same issue in his negotiations with the Bears, and Garafolo reports only six rookies were had fine-related language removed from their contracts.
If players are forced into the league by the draft, why are teams allowed to make up ridiculous clauses? For a free agent sure, but a draft pick? How absurd.
He can not sign it. Repeat the process over and find a new team if he’d like.
He doesn’t get to go through the draft again… his nfl rights belong to the jets regardless of whether he’s under contract so unless they traded them to another team or released him to free agency he would be stuck playing in another league.
Not true, they would only retain his rights for a year. he would be able to enter next year’s draft if he never signs
See Jackson, Bo
Screw this crap. Get him into camp.
Crazy that they haven’t won a Super Bowl in over 50 years. Can’t figure out why…
My theory is the drought has something to do with their QBs no longer wearing pantyhose.
They traded up going to get him, got him, and now wasting time with this crap. This is why the Jets are the Jets.
The Jets should probably give the George Costanza (of Seinfeld) “opposites” approach a try.
Salmon is the opposite of tuna, they swim against the current.
The last time they had a USC qb under center it was the buttfumbler….they’re better off just staying with mccown.
Never mind a 4-2 playoff record.
Yes. The jets defense had a lot to do with that.
Sit out the year……go back into the draft next year…… it would cost quite a bundle of cash…..but he would get his point across
And if after all that he ends up looking at reduced contract with the same language, then what?
This is something that should be in every player’s contract. You do something egregious enough, your guaranteed money goes bye bye. Too many talented schmucks out there who think they can do what they want and not get tagged for it.
And who gets to decide what is egregious and what is not? It sure as heck better not be Roger Goodell because he once fined Frank Gore $10,000 for wearing his socks too low.
You must not have read the article. it says only 6 rookies have had the fine related language remove. Which means every other rookie still has it
And those 6 guys shouldn’t have had it removed. It should be non negotiable.
And I misread the article…
No way he should accept that clause. That clause should not even be aloud. I hope he stands his ground.
Detroit is going to eat this guy alive week 1.