[OutsiderFan]

Anyone been following this potential developing issue for him and the Niners?  Report day is Thursday.  Thomas is one of 3 still unsigned 1st round picks, and the plot is thickened by the fact Thomas has the same agent as Joey Bosa, who didn't join his team until August 29, 2016.

Here's a rundown of the Bosa situation that provides insight into the Thomas one:
https://www.sbnation.com/2016/8/8/124021...argers-why

I frankly don't get it.  The Niners are effectively arguing over how much they want to save if Thomas is a bust. How on Earth can you pick a guy #3 and then in negotiations take a stance that you don't have 100% confidence in his ability to make your pick look smart?  It's kind of like a prenuptial agreement in that sense.  But again, you drafted him #3 overall.  If you didn't have full confidence in him, trade down and draft someone else.

[OutsiderFan]

Anyone been following this potential developing issue for him and the Niners?  Report day is Thursday.  Thomas is one of 3 still unsigned 1st round picks, and the plot is thickened by the fact Thomas has the same agent as Joey Bosa, who didn't join his team until August 29, 2016.

Here's a rundown of the Bosa situation that provides insight into the Thomas one:
https://www.sbnation.com/2016/8/8/124021...argers-why

I frankly don't get it.  The Niners are effectively arguing over how much they want to save if Thomas is a bust. How on Earth can you pick a guy #3 and then in negotiations take a stance that you don't have 100% confidence in his ability to make your pick look smart?  It's kind of like a prenuptial agreement in that sense.  But again, you drafted him #3 overall.  If you didn't have full confidence in him, trade down and draft someone else.

[MustardtheBallCarrier]

A few reasons to fight over the offset language:

First and foremost, from a negotiating posture, once a team concedes this point it is going to have it thrown in that team's face in every 1st round draft pick negotiation thereafter.  The team loses the ability to say "we don't agree to this" ever after.  As someone who negotiates contracts for a living, I can tell you that is something you don't say yes to easily.

Second, agreeing to a no offset contract is, from what I understand, not "market" from the team's perspective.  The offset is pretty typical and only a small number of players don't have it.  Myles Garrett, from what I have read, has offset language in his deal and was consensus pick 1-1, for example.  If the 49ers agree to this, they "lose" the negotiation, in the sense that the other contract terms are largely determined by the CBA.  They don't want that sign of weakness in the market for future negotiations with any players, draft picks or FA's.

Third, higher 1st round picks have fully guaranteed contracts, unlike everyone else, draft pick or FA.  Seeking some downside protection seems consistent given that in the NFL the market is that all other players can be cut to save non-guaranteed money.  A team would get some downside protection if they invested the future of the franchise and, effectively, the jobs of the coach and GM on a franchise QB in the FA market.  Asking for some relief if a high draft pick busts (in the form of clawing back a potential windfall for the player) doesn't seem out of step with this.

Fourth, there is no incentive for either side to cave now.  From a deal dynamics perspective, negotiations either come together quickly because there are no meaningful points of disagreement, or parties don't make concessions until they have to.  Right now they don't have to until later this week.

Fifth, you are looking at it from the perspective of the team giving less than a full vote of confidence in the player.  You can just as easily take the other perspective, where a cynic could color Thomas's position as arguing "if I don't do my job and perform to the level of an artificially reduced rookie pay scale, in addition to getting my money guaranteed, I want to be able to collect a second paycheck while you are still paying me."

Sixth, this is not necessarily about being a bust in the sense of making a poor pick.  Could also be a consequence of injury. 

Don't get me wrong, Solomon should fight the fight and god bless if he wins.  I'd be happy for him.  I can totally see why teams get dogmatic about the offset language though, in the context of how other NFL contracts work.

[MustardtheBallCarrier]

A few reasons to fight over the offset language:

First and foremost, from a negotiating posture, once a team concedes this point it is going to have it thrown in that team's face in every 1st round draft pick negotiation thereafter.  The team loses the ability to say "we don't agree to this" ever after.  As someone who negotiates contracts for a living, I can tell you that is something you don't say yes to easily.

Second, agreeing to a no offset contract is, from what I understand, not "market" from the team's perspective.  The offset is pretty typical and only a small number of players don't have it.  Myles Garrett, from what I have read, has offset language in his deal and was consensus pick 1-1, for example.  If the 49ers agree to this, they "lose" the negotiation, in the sense that the other contract terms are largely determined by the CBA.  They don't want that sign of weakness in the market for future negotiations with any players, draft picks or FA's.

Third, higher 1st round picks have fully guaranteed contracts, unlike everyone else, draft pick or FA.  Seeking some downside protection seems consistent given that in the NFL the market is that all other players can be cut to save non-guaranteed money.  A team would get some downside protection if they invested the future of the franchise and, effectively, the jobs of the coach and GM on a franchise QB in the FA market.  Asking for some relief if a high draft pick busts (in the form of clawing back a potential windfall for the player) doesn't seem out of step with this.

Fourth, there is no incentive for either side to cave now.  From a deal dynamics perspective, negotiations either come together quickly because there are no meaningful points of disagreement, or parties don't make concessions until they have to.  Right now they don't have to until later this week.

Fifth, you are looking at it from the perspective of the team giving less than a full vote of confidence in the player.  You can just as easily take the other perspective, where a cynic could color Thomas's position as arguing "if I don't do my job and perform to the level of an artificially reduced rookie pay scale, in addition to getting my money guaranteed, I want to be able to collect a second paycheck while you are still paying me."

Sixth, this is not necessarily about being a bust in the sense of making a poor pick.  Could also be a consequence of injury. 

Don't get me wrong, Solomon should fight the fight and god bless if he wins.  I'd be happy for him.  I can totally see why teams get dogmatic about the offset language though, in the context of how other NFL contracts work.

[OutsiderFan]

Good break down, Mustard. 

Yes, injury is certainly one of the reasons a player could be a bust or otherwise not live up to expectations.  The one thing I failed to include, which is relevant in light of the fact your analysis brought it up, is that I read 49ers 1st round pick in 2013, Eric Reid, had favorable offset language in his deal, and indeed Thomas' agent is aware of this fact.

So there is a precedent for the 49ers on the offset issue.  Of course, it's a totally new regime now, so you could argue the 49ers who gave that concession to Reid may as well have be considered another team entirely for the purpose of the Thomas negotiation.

[OutsiderFan]

Good break down, Mustard. 

Yes, injury is certainly one of the reasons a player could be a bust or otherwise not live up to expectations.  The one thing I failed to include, which is relevant in light of the fact your analysis brought it up, is that I read 49ers 1st round pick in 2013, Eric Reid, had favorable offset language in his deal, and indeed Thomas' agent is aware of this fact.

So there is a precedent for the 49ers on the offset issue.  Of course, it's a totally new regime now, so you could argue the 49ers who gave that concession to Reid may as well have be considered another team entirely for the purpose of the Thomas negotiation.

[BostonCard]

Solomon Thomas has signed with the 49ers.

https://twitter.com/johnlynch49ers/statu...1402479617

BC

[BostonCard]

Solomon Thomas has signed with the 49ers.

https://twitter.com/johnlynch49ers/statu...1402479617

BC

[JJJ]

Solomon Thomas has signed with the 49ers.

https://twitter.com/johnlynch49ers/statu...1402479617

BC

I had no idea he was a lefty. Funny how in some sports, it's more obvious. In football, unless you're a quarterback (or kicker), you'd never know.

[JJJ]

Solomon Thomas has signed with the 49ers.

https://twitter.com/johnlynch49ers/statu...1402479617

BC

I had no idea he was a lefty. Funny how in some sports, it's more obvious. In football, unless you're a quarterback (or kicker), you'd never know.

[JJJ]

Alan George‏ @treeSIDjorge 2h2 hours ago

Solomon Thomas has signed a four-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers worth an estimated $28 million, including $18 million bonus

http://twitter.com/treeSIDjorge/status/8...2560061440

[JJJ]

Alan George‏ @treeSIDjorge 2h2 hours ago

Solomon Thomas has signed a four-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers worth an estimated $28 million, including $18 million bonus

http://twitter.com/treeSIDjorge/status/8...2560061440