Hello everyone. I would like to thank Matt and Makana my bosses at The Worst Take Network for supporting this. I do articles and run a baseball podcast.

But with that said, here we begin with some contract negotiations.

Enjoy.

~~~~~

After that night Harris and his family went back to their hotel room. They were going on a plane the next morning to head back to Texas. And Harris better start getting used to flights. Chances are this will be a part of the game at least ten times a year. And that means a house in Ohio as well. But better yet, he can celebrate with family and friends as much as he likes. The draft isn't over yet and he has no contract that he signed on the dotted line. Though his sports agent through Texas named Hank Murdoch was keeping him in good hands. Jordan Harris was just trying to compose himself and be humble for the opportunity. Especially since he didn't officially become a part of the team yet. His agent would be communicating between both sides after the draft was concluded. 

On the plane back home Mr. Harris wanted to speak to his son. "So, when you sign we'll stay in Ohio with you for a couple days. Going apartment first?"

"Yeah. Apartment, car, and I'm set. Give it at least a year like you said right?" Jordan looked over with a smile.

"There you go." Nodded his father.

"Easy on him Craig. He makes more than us now." 

"He ain't paid yet Janis." He laughed.

"You right." Jordan chuckled.

It seemed all was well. Going from the city of brotherly love back to Texas and going from there. Though they were going to watch the draft closely. The Bengals did not have a second round pick. In the third round they had two. In total only six more picks to make. It was going to be interesting to see what was next. And there wasn't much happening in free agency either. It was a good year for the players, agents, and owners which was rare. These seven picks were going to be crucial for Cincinnati. 

~~~~~

{ And tonight in nearly ten minutes we will be covering day and night three of the 20XX NFL Draft. The Cincinnati Bengals are first to go with the first pick in the third round. Gentleman what does this team need out of this draft? }

{ Rog with no second pick it hurts them. Free agency they lost a few names which were big on this roster. All of the projected elite offensive lineman have been off the board for a while now. But let's see what they can pick up. See if their bread and butter is in the later picks today. My priority is to see if there is one or two more pass rushers in here. Which I think there is one that we may not have high on our list. }

{ Jim you are right that the Tackle and Guards that are game changing are gone. However, in the fourth round or so there are a few solid Tight Ends I would take a look at. They are on the board, just not sure as to value. My pick later on today would be a guy like Winters from FSU. Good blocking Tight End which can help protect the kid from Texas. }

{ Need blocking Henry. Otherwise that kid is going to be running for his life. }

{ Too right Murph. Also I am surprised that they aren't trading down. They could have since Harris wasn't going until about pick 10. Imagine the value now. I would trade a pick to get more assets for later. This team has many needs. 30th in scoring last year and all the players jumping ship puts them in a hole. }

{ Right you are. }

There was much commotion going on it was soon to be on the clock. The Commissioner was making sure his suit was dashing before getting the envelope and reading it to the world. The little jingle sounded as he walked to the microphone. It was time to get the day started.

< "With the 65th overall pick of the 20XX NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select Henry Jarrett. Line Backer. UCONN." >

The audience didn't know how to make out of this one. Usually UCONN isn't known for being a football school. It's a party and basketball school. And the second pick in their draft goes to this? And not other needs that are an absolute? Bengal fans shut their eyes and covered their ears. In disbelief. This was not seen coming. 

{ Errr, Jim? }

{ Shocking Bob. Henry Jarrett predicted to go in the fifth round or later is up two rounds earlier. A former player at West Virginia before having problems with the head coach. Eventually traveling back home as he transferred to UCONN in his junior year. Odd move to me. }

{ I agree Murph. Jarrett is standing at 5'11 5/8" and 198 pounds. Not really a need for one. And two is I just don't think he has the size for the position. His height is okay, but I think he would need to bulk up a little bit. Maybe about 210 or so. }

{ Odd move by Owner and GM Chad Wills. It's just not what I would have picked for this team. }

Many weren't amazed. As well as Jordan Harris at home shaking his head as he shook his head while on the couch with his parents and two uncles. This was the play for the Harris family today. Watching the rest of the draft while having the day making conversation, eating, and talking football. This was the life. Not great with the 65th overall pick, but there was more to come. 

"With the 89th overall pick of the 20XX NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select Dezi Bryant. Defensive Tackle. Utah." 

Jordan Harris sighed long and loud on his couch staring at the flat-screen in his living room. "Yo Uncle Riley? Might need to start boxing with you again?"

"Why a millionaire gotta box for boy?" His Uncle asked.

"Three rounds and no lineman for me? C'mon." Jordan was a little frustrated. He had right as well. The guys from the network were even confused as to what exactly is going on. Chad Wills is making very interesting moves. And not in the best way.  

< "With the 128th overall and first fourth-round pick of the 20XX NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select Grant Winters. Tight End. FSU." >

"What's this about?" Pondered Jordan.

{ I really like this pick as I said it before. At a total of 6'4 7/8" tall and 250 pounds this is a solid Tight End piece. Only catch is the hands need a little work. I think that can be adjusted soon enough. Great pick for the Bengals. }

{ Those pads make him look bigger as well. Only problem is the catching as just said and that can be arranged. }

{ Secret in the gloves correct? }

{ Get him suited ASAP. }

Uncle Gordy Harris is at home happy. "Woo. Boy has him a blocker. Oh man. It's going to a good day baby. You wait." Both the uncles were trying to be positive as Jordan remained quiet. Trying to soak in what the big stage was going to be like. With a bad scoring team and he was going to be leaving Texas for some time. 

"Ribs are up!" Shouted Janis Harris from the kitchen.

"Time for a break." Jordan smiled as he left his seat. 

It seemed to look a little bit brighter. Now that there was a weapon on offense for the most part. Interesting that the main flaw was offense and so far it was defense priority. Was this a trend going upwards or was it the best player available? No one could read from Bengals owner Chad Wills. It was just a guessing game from here.

{ With the 160th overall pick of the 20XX NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select Aaron Glover. Guard. Virginia Tech. }

"Phrase Lord!" Smiled Jordan watching this on screen. 

{ I got to say its about time. Only took the fifth round to get someone. Not up there with experience but the one thing that's nice is at just over six and a half feet tall and about 300 pounds that is a lot of man to move around. }

{ Right at you Bob. High ceiling but low floor. Not too bad. Cincy need its. }

{ Attributes aren't everything. We've seen plenty of wide receivers bust and they ran a 4.3 in the 40. That height and weight mean nothing without technique. }

{ Well said Jim. }

< "With the 192nd overall pick of the 20XX NFL Draft. Dwight Simmons. Running Back. Penn State." >

"Why..."

With a good running back already on the team, why need another one? Still need offensive lineman, more pass rush, and plenty of secondaries were picked for depth and rotation pieces. What was the play and the plan of the Bengals and its man in charge Chad Wills? 

Eventually the party ended for Jordan Harris as he went to his room to kick back after company had left. Put his phone down and went to look at some old photos before he would rest up and maybe game a little with some friends he has known since high school. Looking at him playing running back in early years when he was just old enough to put on a helmet and pads, to his freshman year at quarterback, senior year at quarterback, and his years at Texas. He smiled as he knew that all the work paid off. So he had hoped.

~~~~~

The next day Jordan Harris was just finishing breakfast when he was receiving a phone call. It was from his agent. Things were going to get interesting. It could be his contract, an endorsement, or even something else. 

"Hello?"

< Jordan. It's Hank. "

"Morning Hank."

< Morning Kid. Listen. I got to reach out to Chad Wills. Was there a figure you had in mind? Because I had a prediction going. >

"Besides millions? I didn't think of a number. What do you got?"

< Jordan I have you at 4/25. Ten for the fifth year. First year paid up front as soon as you sign the contract. That's what my proposal is. >

"Wow. Damn Hank. Had no idea."

< Did you see the draft? The late picks? Look it up. Take your time. I'll be here. Your phone. Computer. Whatever. >

"I gotcha." Jordan puts the phone on speaker and pulls up the draft results for his team the Bengals. He sees the other edition to his team. Edge Rusher Terrance Williams from UCLA. "No Tackle I see. So what's the situation?"

< Wills trying to give you a third of the deal I proposed. And I think yours is good on both sides. >

Jordan gasped. "Oh hell no. I trust your judgement better. What's the move chief?"

< Listen Jordan, keep quiet about this. It will look bad in the media. I will negotiate that way it does not look bad on you or owner. Your head coach wants this to go smoothly. Now this is one of the only cases where I am not discussing with a general manager. Wills is an old fashioned, dense man. But I will do my best for him to squeeze and juice his pockets for you. You know my starting number. I'm trying not to budge. Any counteroffer or my negotiation offer will go through you first. Then we will fly to Cincy together and get you suited. Endorsements are on the way as well. >

"You the man Hank."

< Catch you later Kid. Not letting my star client get away with a third of my drawn up plan. You deserve better. I'll get back to you today or tomorrow. Depends on the old man. Until then. >

Jordan hangs up. "Why does this seem off. Seven picks. After me is six. Only one guard and we don't know if he will be okay. This is going to get rough." He shook his head and put his phone in his pocket. "Contract is first. Oh well."

~~~~~

Learn to negotiate.

-Rel