Page 11 - Florida Sentinel 7-30-19

Sports
Chiefs Far Apart In Contract Negotiations With Chris Jones
Michael Bennett
Kansas City Chiefs defen- sive lineman Chris Jones opted against holding out and reported to training camp on time despite his desire for a new contract. Unfortunately for him, it looks unlikely that he’ll get it.
According to Jeffri Chadiha of NFL Network, the Chiefs and Jones are far apart
in negotiations. The Chiefs want to sign Jones to a con- tract similar to the one Grady Jarrett got from Atlanta for four years and $68 million. Jones, however, wants some- thing in the neighborhood of new teammate Frank Clark, who got five years and $104 million, with $63 million of that guaranteed.
For Treating Him Like
Praises Bill Belichick
‘Human Being’
CHRIS JONES
The way Bill Belichick treats the media has led many to believe that he runs the New England Patriots like a heartless dictator, but Michael Bennett has quickly learned that is not the case.
Bennett made his official Patriots debut on Sunday after missing the first three days of training camp to tend to a family matter. While speaking with the media, the veteran defensive lineman went out of his way to heap praise on Belichick for his understanding.
“Coach Belichick – it’s nice when you have a coach that sees you as a human, sees you as a human being, not
Bobby Wagner Has Funny Quote On Awkwardness Of Negotiating His Own Deal
MICHAEL BENNET
just a number, and you’re able to go talk to him, tell him what’s going on, and you’re able to go take care of it,” Bennett said. “That just makes you want to play harder for a coach. When he believes in you, and lets you take care of your family first.”
Bobby Wagner was the rare player who opted to rep- resent himself in contract ne- gotiations with the Seattle Seahawks, and he succeeded in negotiating himself a three- year, $54 million extension.
There are consequences to negotiating for yourself, though. Even if you success- fully make a deal, you’re work-
BOBBY WAGNER
ing with your bosses directly instead of going through an intermediary. That can lead to awkward moments and per- haps some tension between the two sides.
Did that happen to Wag- ner? Apparently not, and the reason for that was that Twit- ter had prepared him for the moment.
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