In this May 18, 2010, file photo, Tennessee Titans defensive end Jason Babin looks on during NFL football practice in Nashville, Tenn. Babin rolled the dice when he signed a one-year deal with Tennessee. With the collective bargaining agreement expiring March 3, he and other would-be free agents face the very real possibility of the NFL’s labor problems stretching so deep this year that they wind up ordered back to their old teams at the bargain basement price of 120 percent of their last salary for the season. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)NASHVILLE — Jason Babin won the gamble he took by signing a one-year deal with the Tennessee Titans. The defensive end racked up a career-high 12 1/2 sacks and earned his first Pro Bowl berth.
Still, all his hard work may not pay off in a multimillion-dollar deal.
NFL labor strife will likely mean Babin won’t be wined and dined on an owner’s private jet during free agency.
With the collective bargaining agreement expiring March 3, Babin and other would-be free agents face the very real possibility that they get ordered back to their old teams at the bargain-basement price of 120 percent of their last salary. Play another season, risk serious injury. And wait.
“That’s really scary to me,” Babin said. “That definitely wouldn’t be good timing. Hey, there’s so many guys in a similar situation as myself with contracts expiring, it would be unfair practice and I think a lot would have a huge problem with it.”