Any industry that entails two sides negotiating hinges on the parties identifying a mutual deadline — and then waiting for it to arrive.
If one moves toward the last, best offer prematurely, that side will be squeezed for more.
That’s likely what’s happening with three receivers who are waiting for new deals: Brandon Aiyuk of the 49ers, CeeDee Lamb of the Cowboys, and Ja’Marr Chase of the Bengals.
For Lamb and the Cowboys, it’s been clear from the start of camp that the deadline wasn’t the start of camp.
It’s likely the start of the regular season or, more accurately, the commencement of the practice week in advance of the Week 1 game at Cleveland.
That same thing could be true to Chase and the Bengals.
And if the Steelers are going to trade for Aiyuk, what are they waiting for?
The less time a new guy has to get up to speed, the harder it will be.
The NFL operates on a tight schedule. Establishing a mutual deadline and then waiting for it to arrive are crucial to any industry where two parties engage in negotiations.
It’s a straightforward idea. Parties advance toward their positions on the bottom line as the clock strikes twelve. One will be forced to accept more if they advance too quickly toward the last, best offer.
The 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk, the Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb, and the Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase are three receivers who are probably waiting on new contracts for the same reason.
Two are remaining put. One is clinging to the other. As it stands, each is expected to sign a new contract at or around the time that the teams and the agents determine is the final feasible minute to do so.
Camp didn’t start at the deadline, as Lamb and the Cowboys have made evident from the beginning. Most likely, the regular season has begun, or more precisely, the practice week leading up to the Week 1 matchup with Cleveland has begun.
Regarding Chase and the Bengals, the same thing may be true. But last year, three days prior to the start of the regular season, quarterback Joe Burrow received his contract. Chase isn’t practicing, in contrast to Burrow. For Week 1 against the Bengals, the Bengals need him to be prepared. the Patriots, when the players reassemble over Labor Day weekend following their post-preseason break, they’ll need to finish the job.
The 49ers are more likely to make a final offer to Aiyuk before Week 1 against the Jets if things have become so quiet (again) between Aiyuk and the team. Aiyuk is likely to accept the offer. However, the 49ers won’t act right away because Aiyuk’s team would justifiably reject the offer and hold out for more as the deadline draws near.
It feels like it’s too late to get Aiyuk ready for Week 1 at Atlanta, so if the Steelers are going to trade for him, why wait? New coaching staff, teammates, city, offense, team, and everything is fresh. Few positions in football are plug-and-play, particularly on offense. One’s actions have an impact on the other ten. It will be more difficult if a new guy has less time to catch up.
