St. Louis Rams’ RB Steven Jackson seeking new contract – NFL News
St. Louis Rams’ running back, Steven Jackson, whose performance was the only feel-good factor for the team in the last National Football League (NFL) season, is unhappy over his current contract with the team and wants a new deal, Michael Lombardi of
NFL.com reported on Monday, April 23, 2012, while citing a credible source.
Jackson, 28, has been playing with the Rams since starting his professional NFL career with the team in 2004.
Although no official confirmation by either the player or his team has been made, it is widely speculated that Jackson is unhappy with his current, six-year deal with the team.
In his rookie year, Jackson signed a five-year, $7 million deal that included a $2.05 million signing bonus.
After completing four years of his contract, Jackson demanded a new deal with a year still left in his previous deal. He also boycotted the team’s training camp to assert his demands for the new deal.
Since Jackson was serving Rams well, the management had no option but to agree to what the player was asking.
In 2008, Rams gave Jackson a six-year, $49.3 million (maximum value) deal which included signing bonus of $11.4 million and $21 million guaranteed, making him the highest paid running back in the NFL.
Jackson is supposed to earn a base salary of around $7 million in 2012 and 2013, but the player is apparently expecting something else.
Jackson has played eight seasons with Rams and after playing his rookie year, he has rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of the next seven seasons, setting up a franchise record.
Considering his age, it might get difficult for Rams to give another hefty contract to Jackson and they might also end up selecting a running back during the upcoming NFL drafts.
However, Jackson thinks that he is hundred percent fit and healthy and is ready to play more seasons. He said in an interview recently:
“I'm at the point where my physicality has not fallen off, and my mental (game) has really taken off by leaps and bounds in understanding the game of football. I feel like I'm right there. I feel like I'm in my prime. And I'm excited about what I can do
in this offence."
It is expected that Rams might reach a decision on his new deal after the end of the draft.
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