Joey Bosa- who was selected third overall in this year’s NFL Draft- already has a lot people talking, but it has nothing to do with his play on the field. Bosa and the San Diego Chargers have been wrestling a contract impasse for almost four months now. Just yesterday, the former Ohio State Buckeye rejected the Chargers’ biggest offer to date; an offer that would make Bosa the second highest paid player in his draft class, behind Carson Wentz. Furthermore, the deal included $10 million out of his $17 million signing bonus up front, which would be the largest initial signing bonus any rookie has received in the past two drafts.
The Chargers and Bosa’s camp have now begun a PR war, each trying to sway public opinion to their side. In a statement released by Bosa’s representatives yesterday night, it asserted that “at this point, all we can do is continue to fight for a fair contract on behalf of our client, as we do for all of our clients.” This is where I really started to get mad. Fight for a “fair” contract? What exactly isn’t fair about him becoming the second highest paid player in his draft class and receiving a massive signing bonus?
At Ohio State, Bosa was one of the top defensive players in the country. Being a two-time first team All-Big Ten, two-time Consensus All-American, and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2014, there is no wonder why NFL teams were drooling over his talent. But let’s make one thing clear: Bosa hasn’t proven anything in the NFL.
I’m not a big fan of contract holdouts, but this really puts things in perspective. If you’re Von Miller- the reigning Super Bowl MVP and arguably the best defensive player in football- and you think you deserve more money, fine. If you’re Kam Chancellor- probably the best strong safety in the league- and you think you deserve more money, fair enough. But if you’re someone who has yet to even tie his shoelaces in an NFL locker room and you think your entitled to more money, no way. If you want to roll with the big dogs in this league, you have to earn it.
Although money probably has a lot to do with it, I think the Chargers going 4-12 last year is an underlying factor in Bosa’s reluctance to sign. Sure, no one wants to be stuck in a losing environment, but if your a top 10 pick in the draft that’s something you have to expect. With defense being one of the Chargers’ main problems last season, Bosa should be determined to turn that around. That’s the kind of attitude you should have when your the first defensive player off the board in the draft.
Whether Bosa finally gets the contract he wants or ultimately settles with what the Chargers’ have offered, this whole situation is and will continue to reflect negatively on him. Coaches around this league have no patience for players with attitude problems. For the most part, you can get away with it if your a top talent in the league (Just look at Dez Bryant), but it doesn’t bode well for a rookie who has yet to play an NFL snap. Already jeopardizing his chances of playing in the first half of the season, Bosa should cut his losses and sign on the dotted line. The only thing that can mitigate this situation is if he performs on the field. Regardless, boy are the Chargers probably kicking themselves for not taking Jalen Ramsey…
