Detroit Lions Not in a Position to be Generous With Disgruntled James Ihedigbo
By Max DeMara
Safety James Ihedigbo has interrupted the positive flow of the Detroit Lions’ offseason momentum.
Suddenly, Ihedigbo is inclined to feel like he’s not making enough money. Statistically, based on his first half production and leadership last season, he might be right, but that doesn’t mean the team can afford to bow down to his recent contract demands.
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On the heels of his Pro Bowl alternate season, Ihedigbo says he’s not planning on taking part of the Lions’ voluntary offseason activities with the hopes of getting a new deal. On Ihedigbo’s current deal, he made $1.525 million last season, and will account for $1.975 million against the cap in 2015.
Arguably, though, that’s the right amount of money for Ihedigbo, a player that faded in the second half last season and ended up riding the pine in favor of younger backup options by the time the schedule hit December.
In no way are the Lions, currently hampered by plenty of salary cap issues of their own, in any position to give an aging 31 year-old safety a handout in April because he’s unhappy making over $1 million dollars. It just doesn’t make financial sense.
In addition to dealing with the George Johnson case, the Lions will also have to sign their own draft picks in May, leaving little wiggle room to deal with a grumpy employee that will soon technically be contractually obligated to play a role for the team.
On their end, the Lions can either let things play out, try to restructure the deal and make Ihedigbo happy or make a roster move with him via a trade or release.
Detroit needs to hope that Ihedigbo simply comes to his senses, plays out 2015 and leaves if unhappy. There are worse indignities in life than getting paid so handsomely to play football. Besides, Ihedigbo was the one who signed the contract last season on his own free will. If he was so sure of his own abilities, why would he have agreed to such an offer in the first place?
There are worse indignities in life than getting paid so handsomely to play football. Besides, Ihedigbo was the one who signed the contract last season on his own free will.
Ihedigbo was part of the heartbeat in the back end last year, and for him to take this approach early in the spring is a tough development. Ihedigbo kept the team together last year and was respected as a team leader. At the same time, he has to understand the realities of Detroit’s current salary standing.
Fortunately, Detroit holds the cards. They can make a roster move with Ihedigbo, or simply hope cooler heads prevail in the weeks ahead. Either way, there should be no negotiating with Ihedigbo, and considering the options the team has, the month leading up to the draft was a poor time for him to pop off.
After all, Ihedgibo was the one who signed the contract, thus he should have known exactly what he was getting himself into. At this point, he’s also proven he can be replaced.
Unbeknownst to him, Ihedigbo may have opened up a real can of worms for himself.
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