If the NFL goes another year under last season’s free agency agency rules, Giants defensive tackle Barry Cofield wants out.
“Just playing under the tender, it would be hard for me,” said Cofield at an event Thursday, via Bob Glauber of Newsday. “It’s starting to weigh on me. Just having that bad taste in your mouth is a bad way to start. They traded me last year so maybe they’ll do it again.”
Well, they tried to trade Cofield. An agreement was worked out with the Saints, but the Cofield and New Orleans couldn’t agree on a new contract so he wound up staying with the Giants. Cofield is coming off a torn biceps tendon.
If the players and league negotiate a new CBA, Cofield should be an unrestricted free agent. He has five years of service in the league and says his first choice would be a long-term deal.
There is still a chance, however, that the 2011 season could be played under the 2010 free agency rules. That would likely only happen if the players won in court and a judge ordered the league to go back to work under last year’s rules.
Even though that would be considered a “win” for the players, it would create a lot of unhappy players just like Cofield.