PeoriaRa and others point to why the Rams have leverage. The Rams do control him under an inexpensive contract for the next two seasons. They don’t look bad nor is it heavy-handed if they simply let him play out those two seasons. Potential bad feelings start when they use the franchise tag. By that point, it’s probably in the interest of an elite player to hit the free agent market.
You point to valid reasons why Donald has leverage.
My stance has always been that both sides have leverage and both have a vested interest in getting a deal done. Donald, as PeoriaRa stated, wants guaranteed money early – i.e. before two years from now - to protect him from injury. The Rams want to lock up a future HOF’er for a long time preferably at a discount, the good PR that comes from treating elite players fairly, and to avoid any bad PR that comes from appearing to jerk an elite player around.
It’s been my experience in negotiations that when both sides WANT something, both sides have leverage. Typically, the side that is the most needy, has the least leverage. Donald’s remaining inexpensive two years on his contract significantly lessons the Rams neediness IMO. As stated earlier, they don’t look bad by simply letting him play out his contract.
I previously thought their leverage was about even but after more thought, it appears to me that both sides have leverage but the Rams have the stronger position. I’ll think they’ll get an extension done but the Rams will need a sweetener – i.e. slight discount – to motivate them to do it now. It will be very similar to when Quinn signed an extension.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/01/2017 07:55AM by dzrams.