1958 Re-sign Stage

 1958 Re-sign Stage

Long Island Set-Up for the Long Run
The Raiders were heading into the offseason with a few big names needing new contracts. The first was of course their franchise QB in Lyle Painter. They would end up locking up the QB to a 6-year deal that would make him the highest-paid player in the league. His initial salary will be $34,000 and will reach $36,000 by his final two seasons. The other two big names were in the LB core. The first being LB Gene Benson who would sign for 3-years at $22,000 a year. The second was last season's big acquisition LB Rusty McVee. There was lots of pressure on the Raiders to impress the LB enough to stay with the team, and after their defence struggled this season, the team was extra nervous about McVee leaving. Luckily, McVee felt he was a part of the issue and knows he has unfinished business with the team and signed a 3-year deal at $26,000 a season. Long Island is looking good for several championship pushes over the next 3 seasons.  

Matieau Takes Minimal Raise While Fellow Stars Lock-Up in Ottawa
QB Jean Matieau was out of contract for the first time since he became the starter for the Royals, however, he didn’t look for much of a raise. His previous contract was at a $32,000 salary, but he would sign a 4-year deal worth $33,000 a season. Matieau would be asked about the minimal raise especially compared to Painter’s contract, he would respond by saying that the money wasn’t a factor and he even went below what the Royals originally offered stating he wants a competitive team and he can’t be the only star. With a bit of extra money, GM Jon Neal would be able to lock up DB Uzzia Hayes to a 2-year deal worth $22,000 a season, RB Alexei Volkov to a 4-year deal worth $24,000 a season, and WR Mackenzie Jones to a 5-year deal at $21,000-$23,000 a season. The Royals are looking set to continue to compete. 

Worcester Drama Continues
After issues with the low ball offers on DB Alexander Bradley and LB Silas O’Brien last season, there was hope that the situation would be better without GM Kyle McCarty. The early part of the offseason was going well with S Shawn Jensen signing on for another 3-years at $22,000, and the recently acquired WR Marqués Gardner signed for 2-years at $16,000. However, there was eventually another issue that arose with former 4th overall pick, OL Magnus Gunnersson. Gunnersson to start, was not happy about the trading of QB Riley Kiernan as he felt the team gave up on him way too quickly. Gunnersson was also becoming good friends with the QB and knew about some personal issues that Kiernan was dealing with last season which may have contributed to his poor performance. Pairing that up with the Athletics giving him a very low initial offer ticked off the elite lineman. While they have come closer, Gunnersson is not happy with the team and will likely be looking for a new home. The Athletics have opened up to trade talks with teams, but because of the pending free agency, they aren’t getting very many good deals if at all. OL Randy McFadden also was barely in talks with the team and is wanting to head back out into the market for what might be his final season. 

Top Signings
OL Sal Valcano -BOS - 5Y, $15,500
LB Marco Price - BOS - 3Y, $19,000
QB Angelo Medina - BUF - 3Y, $32,000
DB Lou Lake - BUF - 4Y, $19,000
DB Lester Murphy - IND - 1Y, $27,000
DB Ollie Guy - IND - 1Y, $14,000
DB Ricardo Salvador - LDN - 4Y, $17,000-$18,000
WR Wilbert Benjamin - LDN - 3Y, $20,000
RB Conner Riley - LI - 2Y, $14,500
K Henderson Schumacher - LI - 5Y, $14,000
WR Truman Harry - LOU - 3Y, $14,000
RB Lawrence Sharp - LOU - 2Y, $13,000
DB Quentin Xavier - MTL - 5Y, $25,000
OL Maxence Castex - MTL - 5Y, $16,000-$17,000
DL Calias McDonough - PRO - 5Y, $23,500-$27,000
OL Wilfred Gibson - PRO - 3Y, $17,000 

Top 10 Free Agents
OL Magnus Gunnersson - WOR - *Potential Trade before Free Agency Period
OL Randy McFadden - WOR
DL Matis Baril - OTT
QB Brian Meadows - IND
DL Robert Garrison - IND
DL Garrett Mason - BUF
LB Mickaël Beaumont - IND
OL Samuel Weston - IND
LB Clifton Fields - BUF
DL Jessie Sellers - LI