Railbird Central Podcast: Shields Multi-Year Contract Discussions Come as Surprise
Railbird Central discusses the somewhat surprising development that the Packers and Shields are talking about more than a one-year deal.
With one week away from the NFL Draft, Railbird Central takes a look at the way the offseason is unfolding for the Packers. We start by talking about the somewhat surprising development that restricted free agent Sam Shields and the Packers are talking about the parameters of a long-term contract extension. Then the discussion turns to Johnny Jolly missing the beginning of the Packers' offseason program.
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Brian Carriveau is the author of "It's Just a Game: Big League Drama in Small Town America" and editor of Cheesehead TV's "Pro Football Draft Preview." To contact Brian, email [email protected].
Comments (11)
April 18, 2013 at 01:05 pm
Not sure why the surprise to extend Shields. Why wouldn't TT want to keep a young talent locked up? I'd go with 4 years at 3,5,7, and 9 million each; maybe 4M signing bonus. Void the last year if he forgets how to tackle.
Brian Carriveau
April 18, 2013 at 01:12 pm
As I explain in the podcast, I'm not surprised at all that the Packers would be interested in signing Shields. I'm surprised that he'd accept multi-year offer when he's one year away from unrestricted free agency.
April 18, 2013 at 01:23 pm
I don't really get it. Players sign a year before they hit free agency all the time. Why aren't you also surprised that Matthews signed?
Brian Carriveau
April 18, 2013 at 01:29 pm
Because Matthews wasn't a restricted free agent like Shields is.
April 18, 2013 at 01:32 pm
What difference does that make?
(It seems there isn't any way to ask that question without sounding dickish. But I'm genuinely asking.)
Brian Carriveau
April 18, 2013 at 01:35 pm
For one, he can sign his one-year tender and then hit unrestricted free agency the following year. And two, I didn't think there'd be as much money around for Shields considering the money earmarked for Matthews and Rodgers. I'd gladly be wrong on that front if there was enough to sign Shields to an extension now.
April 19, 2013 at 07:50 pm
Brian... It seems like you don't think Shields would want to keep playing in GB. I don't see any reason why Shields wouldn't want to sign an extension to stay in GB. Sorry but it just makes no sense that either he or the Packers wouldn't want to get an extension done.
It provides Shields w/ the security of a long term contract, so for him its kind of a no-brainer.
From the Packers perspective its business as usual. Signing talented young players to long term extensions before they get near FA.
You have to know the Packers have known about the Matthews and Rodgers contracts for the past 2 years and have been planning for this. I think the Packers are always looking at least 3 years ahead of and are planning for contracts well ahead of time. Don't you think they would be doing that? I know you can't figure out exact numbers, but as soon as they won the SB in '10, they had to know Rodgers was going to be getting Brees type money.
Give the Packers a little credit for being proactive and thinking ahead. Its not like this is catching anyone by surprise and just cuz you didn't think there would be money, doesn't mean the Packers didn't have a lot of this figured out well ahead of time.
That doesn't make the negotiations easier or time consuming, but they've planned for all of this. The fact they're talking w/ Shields shows that they have been planning and are continuing their business as usual.
April 18, 2013 at 01:44 pm
I still don't really see the difference between an RFA signing his tender and playing the year on that and someone like Matthews just playing out the final year of his deal.
The money issue makes sense, as it could be argued that he'd get a bigger deal once he's unrestricted if he's able to get several teams interested. But that's always the gamble. Guaranteed money now vs. the potential for more next year. A lot can happen in a year to affect a player's value. Maybe he doesn't want to take that gamble and likes Green Bay.
Regardless, I'm excited they're talking. I'd put Shields as a priority signing ahead of Raji.
April 18, 2013 at 03:23 pm
A guy like Shields benefits by extending, in part, because UFA means the possibility exists that he'll have to learn a new system and have less success.
Signing bonus; more money; known system; long term contract equals "show me where to sign".
April 18, 2013 at 07:43 pm
Maybe the SB ring neck tattoo has something to do with wanting to continue his career in GB or the fact that we gave him a chance as a undrafted FA.
April 19, 2013 at 04:24 pm
Bibbon loves Sam! Cut Tramon and his salary or restructure. He should not be on the field when Hayward, House and Shields are all healthy. These guys are ascending and the PFF ranked 60th best corner in the league is descending into a contact avoiding shell of his former self. Injury or not its a buisiness move that should be made sooner rather than later.