Vikings Start Signing Rookies Despite NFLPA Objections
Vikings Start Signing Rookies Despite NFLPA Objections
The NFL Players Association told Minnesota Vikings draftees not to sign their rookie contracts. Apparently, there’s language in the contracts that the players union feels violates the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the players and the league.
Despite the NFLPA objections, rookie wide receiver Rodney Adams and defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo both signed with the Vikings today without resolving the contract language. Adams was drafted in the 5th round and Odenigbo in the 7th.
Thank you to the man above, thank you to this great organization. It's official baby. #SKOL #12 pic.twitter.com/GVg5ZFfTz1
— Rodney Adams (@rodney_adams87) May 25, 2017
The deed has been done, I have signed my Contract! #skolnationđ¤đżđ¤đż pic.twitter.com/BlnffpF9Xo
— Ifeadi The Storyteller (@IfeadiOdenigbo) May 25, 2017
According to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press, Article 7 of the CBA allows for 13 permissible items in rookie contracts, and the NFLPA believes that language in the Vikings contracts violates this article.
The language in question deals with offset and anti-tampering clauses. According to the article:
- Offset language addresses how much money a team might pay a player if he is waived guaranteed money left on his deal and then signs with another team. A player, for instance, would want the ability to be paid by both teams while teams would want a commitment not to extend beyond paying any possible difference in the salaries.
- Anti-tampering language relates to when and if an agent might be able to talk to another team about a player still under contract to the Vikings.
- While offset clauses are allowed in rookie contracts, a source said there has been an accusation that the Vikings are âconflating offset language with prohibited terms.â
The Vikings have not changed any of their contract language from previous years, reported Tomasson, who also claimed that the players union has “cracked down” on the NFL for what it considers violations of the CBA. The NFLPA wants this language changed and the Vikings don’t want to budge, creating the current conflict.
According to USA Today, the NFLPA has even made it clear they may try to void these contracts later through a grievance process.
Although the other nine rookies are not technically under contract, they have still been able to practice under injury protection agreements. The agreement will cover team activities for the next seven weeks, including June’s minicamp.
With two rookies signing today, it’s tough to imagine this contract language will still be an issue heading into training camp, which is a little over two months away.
The Vikings haven’t changed their contract language from previous years, showing the team has no ill intent. This appears to be an issue that will be discussed and made more clear in the next CBA negotiations.
We’ll keep an eye on this developing story.
