When contracts go bad.

[Homeless]

During an interview on WHD radio, Chiefs running back Priest Holmes made it clear that he is looking for an improved contract. Holmes has emerged as the league’s most dynamic back, but is still working under the contract he signed two seasons ago when he came to Kansas City as a free agent when Baltimore didn’t want him. Averaging just $1.6 million per year, that contract still has three years left. Holmes said, "But you definitely need to show each individual their respect. You have to show that you're a team that's going to pay a guy so you'll have more guys wanting to improve and play at the top of their game so they can get paid. Hey, I'll take some of the parking money. We can sell some extra Cokes in the stadium.”

Considering that Holmes leads the league in yards from scrimmage over the past two years, he is severely underpaid. But Chiefs’ GM has recently signed receivers Dante Hall and Eddie Kennison to ridiculously inflated deals, and may not be able to improve Holmes’ contract. For whatever its worth, Holmes is considered by many to be one of the league’s “good guys”, so a protracted holdout seems unlikely.

We all know Holmes is worth more money, but he signed a contract and now wants more.

What do you guys think of this, would you pay him more ? or stick to the contract and risk losing him at the end of it.

[kashikis]

it all depends would u as an owner restructure a guys contract after he had an injury that is taking him months to work through and still don't know if he will ever play like he did and get stuck payin him 15 mil a year?

me personally hell nah, but i do think that production incentives aren't an unreasonable compromise

[terpfan]

man... cut eddie kennison!!!

big oversight by the KC front office.

[Dazedncnfz]

Cant make a honest call on this until after you see how he plays...if hes back to from there no doubt he deserves more...but right now I would not give him anything but incentives.

[Guttpuppy]

Good call DnC!

[Slingblade]

hell cut kennison and morton. boerighter and gonzo is all they need

[VIPER]

Totally agree with DnC, pay him inc. then at the end of next year pay him what he's worth!!

[awwchrist]

wait wait wait...tellin me that Donte Hall is buying dinner while tellin Priest to leave the tip??

Guh..If I were the GM I'd be on the phone cutting him a new deal right now. You take the risk. Plain and simple. Look at all the other GMs that eventually lose faith from their players in contract negotiations. Heck it's not even all that much of a risk. Just last week Holmes was quoted as saying he's 80-85% ready and would start if the season started today.

It's not like we're talking about practically invisible (not indespensable) Micheal Pittman here. This is Priest friggin Holmes. Hurt or not, 3 years left averaging 1.6 million? Get this guy a raise!

If I were a KC fan I would be tearing out my friggin heart right now reading this.

Jason Elam makes more than a guy that in two years has done this:

3100+ rushing yards 1200+ receiving yards 34TDs

Pay him.

[FootballRulez]

I think football is the only sport where I have no problem when a player wants to redo his contract. The reason is that contracts are not guaranteed (like baseball or basketball), and if the team can "break" the deal and cut you when you play poorly, why shouldn’t you be able to "break" the deal and renegotiate for more.

So with that said, assuming he is healthy you have to pay the Priest. He has been nothing short of amazing, and he really does deserve more.