Last night at midnight was Jarrad Page’s last chance to sign his restricted free agent tender offered by the Chiefs without facing a reduced offer.
The deadline came and went and there is no indication that Page inked his deal. What that means is, the Chiefs are now free to reduce Page’s offer of $1.759 million to 110% of his 2009 salary which was $1.6995 million.
If they do that, Page loses $59,500.
I am not sure if the Chiefs have to make it public if they reduce the offer but they will likely have to file some paperwork with the league office so it is bound to come out.
All Page can do is hope the Chiefs release him or that they work out a long term contract with his agent.
Personally, I think the Chiefs probably wanted to get another look at Page before singing him to a longer, more lucrative deal since he missed most of last year with injury.
The only way for Page to get out of being a restricted free agent is to play or be released by the Chiefs. If he plays at least 6 weeks this season, it will count as a season and he will be eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2011. If he sits out the entire year, he will remain a RFA.
If the players are locked out by the owners in 2011 and there is no football, Page would be pretty much screwed. He would STILL be a RFA if the Chiefs decide to hold him hostage and if they release him, he will be a average safety who hasn’t played football in 2 1/2 years.
Good luck getting a big contract in 2012 Jarrad.