Okung vs. Idzick - What's the Holdup?

Written by Chris Sullivan | 31 July 2010

I've had a few people ask me why it is that Russell Okung remains unsigned, despite the fact that he is now perfectly slotted in between two signed picks. Well, the way I see it there are just a couple of possibilities as to what the holdup is:

1. They are butting heads over money. Well, this doesn't seem likely to me... The Seahawks' hands are pretty tied because #4 (OT Trent Williams) is signed, #5 (Eric Berry), and #7 (Joe Haden) have all signed. Berry will make an average of $10MM / year with $5.67MM / year guaranteed (on average); Haden will also make $10MM / year with $5.2MM guaranteed annually on average. So, we know that Russell Okung will make $10MM a year with about $5.4 million guaranteed for each year of his contract. Okay, so... next?
2. They are butting heads over contract length. Tada! This is one we don't think about too much, but it was a big sticking point with the Curry situation. Teams are often willing to give up a little more guaranteed money to get a longer contract. After all, you're going to pay this guy a hell of a lot of money, you don't want them waltzing out the door the first chance they get. If you can get Okung under contract for six years, then top that off with an additional two years of franchise tags (assuming he's worth it), you're in good shape. Obviously, Okung and his agent want him on the street as soon as humanly possible because the chance of grabbing a second huge contract goes down every time you step on the field.

It should be pretty clear that I'm strongly leaning towards #2. To me, the importance of the long contract increases quite a bit due to Aaron Curry's contract last year. Curry signed a 6-year deal meaning he will be eligible for free agency after the 2015 season. If the Seahawks sign Okung to a 5-year deal, he will be available the same season, as will Earl Thomas who is almost certain to be signed to a 5-year deal this year. It's unlikely that the Seahawks will have the luxury of signing all three of those guys to a second contract in the same year.

Similarly, I wouldn't be shocked to see Earl Thomas' agent playing that same angle, possibly waiting to see Okung sign and see if he can't finagle a four or six-year (with big guaranteed money) deal. It's unlikely, but you never know.