Last week the Philadelphia Eagles broke bread with their stud running back LeSean McCoy. McCoy got his pockets laced with a 5 year, 45 million dollar extension, with 20.8 million guaranteed. The guaranteed money is the most important number for any NFL player we all know how shiesty owners in the league are. Congrats on McCoy for gaining more financial stability for him and his family. What does this new deal for McCoy mean for Ray Rice and Matt Forte?
Rice and Forte both have been franchised tagged by their respective teams (Ravens and Bears), which shows respect to the player that they are that good where you don’t want to let them go for nothing. The tag only lasts for one year(7.72 million), while the money is guaranteed it doesn’t give the player long-term security that they play so hard for.
Ray Rice who is the main piece to the Ravens offense the last few years, will use McCoy’s contract as a starting point for his new deal. With how important Rice is to the offense, he has very firm legs to stand on to at least get the same type of deal or better. Rice is a threat running the ball, catching out of the backfield and great in pass protection. He also has been very durable. (No missed games since his rookie year) If you compare his numbers to McCoy’s rushing and receiving they are better. I bet Rice is telling the Ravens management to show him the money, in the Ravens should.
Matt Forte is the main piece for the Chicago Bears the last few years, and will also use McCoy’s contract as a starting point for his new deal. A few off-season moves may prevent the Bears from being the team that gives Forte the cash he desires. Brandon Marshall a star receiver was brought in to help the offense and former Oakland Raider running back Michael Bush was signed to a 4 year deal. Bush is no slouch so with him in the fold the Bears will probably be a lot less likely to cut a long-term check to Forte. Forte is a threat on anywhere on the field. Forte’s numbers are slightly less than McCoy’s on a yearly overall. The sad thing about the Forte situation is he will get the raw end of the deal after how hard he has worked for the Bears. He will go to management saying show him the money but it will likely be another team that does after this year is over because a lot of his bargaining power was taken away with the Bush signing.
Both of these players can thank McCoy for signing this contract because it will be both a great starting base to get their new deals. They both may get more or a little less but the McCoy deal means a lot for both players pockets.
