Could be we offered both guys very nice contracts and neither signed because nothing compelled them to sign at this particular time with free agency days away.  Deadlines compel people to sign.  I get it. It has to be Baalke’s fault because we’re in full on fan the flames mode.

From Ridley’s point of view, there was no deadline. It was either sign something without seeing the market or test the market and have multiple teams bid up your price, then sign. Color me shocked he chose the latter.

From Allen’s point of view, there also was no deadline unless helping the team tag Ridley was a concern of his.  Color me shocked it wasn’t.  It was either sign without seeing the market and help the team or wait and see what the market is for pass rushers that are actually hitting the market and then use the quite often overpays of free agency to argue for a better deal with the Jags.

There’s no reason to get upset here.  Players will almost always take the path that helps their argument in contract negotiations as they are being advised to do.  Just imagine being one of them and getting a top of market offer by the Jags days before free agency.  Wouldn’t the thought process be “well if they’re willing to give me top of market money to not see free agency, what’s really behind the curtain for me?”  I feel like you’d have to offer way over top of market to get a signature from guys who are expected to see top of market bids in free agency or be dealing with a guy like Mike Evans who played his whole career with your team and negotiating what is likely his last meaningful contract and him likely preferring to retire on the team he was drafted by.

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