NFL's Great Debate: What Happens When a Player Outperforms Their Contract?

As the NFL finally has gotten underway, players have less time than usual to mentally and physically prepare themselves for a grueling season.  While some people utilized the lockout as a means to take much deserved time off and let their bodies heal, others were adamant on getting themselves ready for whenever the lockout concluded.

The Chicago Bears are looking to repeat as NFC North champions, as they are putting the finishing touches on their preseason and looking to gear up for their opener against the Atlanta Falcons.  News in Bears camp is never short of drama and controversy though, as the Chicago Tribune reported this morning that Lance Briggs is planning on holding out for more money.

Reports from the NFL and Chicago Bears state that Briggs is asking for a reconstruction of his current contract, as he wishes to be paid like some other outstanding linebackers in the league.  And while he missed his second preseason game Saturday night due to an injury, expect this request to further complicate his situation.

Briggs has certainly been a revelation for the Bears defense over the last couple of seasons, and most argue that he has played better than fan favorite Brian Urlacher, who is slated to make upwards of $18 million.  And knowing that, this brings up a sticky debate that hits teams across the league regularly: what do owners do when a player massively outperforms their contract?

Briggs’ situation is similar to that of Chris Johnson’s in Tennessee, who is expected to get a pay raise from his team after undoubtedly exceeding his contract expectations.  While Chris Johnson is the heart and soul of that franchise, the same cannot be said about Briggs.

While I feel he definitely deserves a pay increase, the timing and complexity of Briggs’ request will not play into his favor.   The six-time Pro Bowler has many obstacles regarding his current contract that will make his request for more money all the more difficult to resolve.

Briggs is 30 years old and has four years left on his current contract.  If he expects to get a reconstruction at the end of his current deal, he will be 34 and that is old by NFL standards, especially for a linebacker.  And even if he does continue to outplay his contract, giving a long-term deal to an aging linebacker just does not make sense for the Bears organization. 

Also, the Bears are currently approaching their young and gifted running back Matt Forte with a lucrative offer, one that will pay him more guaranteed money than what Jamal Charles was offered by the Kansas City Chiefs.  But the Bears are unsure if they are going to get Forte to sign off on the contract, which will further put Briggs’ request on hold.

If Briggs is forced to honor his current contract-which he will most likely have to-he is certainly going to sit out voluntary work-outs and face fines and punishment from the Bears organization.  The talented linebacker is willing to do just that, as he feels a new contract should match his achievements and statistics.

Plenty of players sign contracts and vastly demolish its worth.  It happens on a regular basis in fact, and if every player was granted a request to modify their contracts, teams would not have close to enough money to do so.  This is what causes owners to examine each player and their worth, as they are looking at long-term investments a majority of the time.

If a player signs and agrees on a contract, it is up to that player to honor it.  There is no other excuse but to honor it actually, because the player had time to examine the contract in detail.  If a player feels he can outperform the contract they have been offered, then bring that up first and foremost.

It is hard to feel bad for players in these situations, because they are already making more money than 99% of the American public.  Asking for more money questions a player’s true intentions when it comes to playing the game, and while most players will state how the love of the game keeps them motivated, it is hard to believe money is not a major source of inspiration.

I hope Briggs comes to and suits up for the Bears, because they surely need him on defense.  He provides toughness and intimidation up the middle, and is pivotal to the Bears run defense.  While Chicago fans might agree with Lance Briggs’ stance on his current contract situation, at the end of the day they just want to see number 55 back on the field terrorizing the opposition.