One of the odd aspects of the NFL’s ongoing labor mess is that players who were drafted last week are receiving tender offers from the teams that drafted them, even though the league is closed for business.
Agent Howard Shatsky noted that one of his players, Jets third-round pick Kenrick Ellis, got a tender offer.
“Received tender offer from the Jets for Kenrick Ellis, surreal since we are in a lockout,” Shatsky wrote on Twitter. “What would they do if I accepted?”
Shatsky added, “Since the draft was held in accordance with the expired CBA, teams still have to make the 1 yr tender offer or lose draft rights.”
So all 254 drafted players could, in theory, sign with their teams even while the players are locked out. But it’s probably safe to say that none of them will.
UPDATE: NFL spokesman Greg Aiello tells us, “It’s a procedural matter that is part of the 2011 Draft that was included in the expired CBA.”