A great point.

[Big D]

I was listening to fox sports radio last night. George sedano was talking about bill cowher and his retirement. What he went onto say is that he thinks that the browns will pursue Cowher next year. He said that even though cowhers contract will expire after next season he still owes the steelers one more year. I didnt know this but if a player were to retire with one more year on his contract even if he decides he wants to come back two years later the team still owns his rights. So why should nfl coaches be any different?

[Dook]

As far as players go, that's not true.

Once a players contract expires he's a free agent.

Even as an RFA the team doesn't have exclusive rights to a player they simply have the opportunity to get reimbursement (1st and 3rd round draft pick, just a 1st, or 3rd round) and match another team's offer.

[Big D]

Originally Posted by Dook

As far as players go, that's not true.

Once a players contract expires he's a free agent.

Even as an RFA the team doesn't have exclusive rights to a player they simply have the opportunity to get reimbursement (1st and 3rd round draft pick, just a 1st, or 3rd round) and match another team's offer.

well, sedano stated thats actually not the case. He said once a player retires the team owns the players rights.

[Dook]

If a player retires with years still remaining on their contract then yes, that is true.

It really depends on how the contract was written, for five years or from a time span 2001 to 2006.

[Big D]

Originally Posted by Dook

If a player retires with years still remaining on their contract then yes, that is true.

That's why Bill Cowher is under contract for next year. After that he's free.

i'm not trying to argue with you dook. But he even used barry sanders as an example.

[SteelerMurf]

Technically Cowher did not retire, he resigned.

[Big D]

here is a conspiracy way of thinking . What if Snyder calls up cowher. Says hey bill retire for a year. And when you come back i'll give you 10-15 million a year to come coach my team.

[Indy_Steelers]

Originally Posted by SteelerMurf

Technically Cowher did not retire, he resigned.

What he said.

[stlrtruck]

I believe it was outlined that the only way the Steelers would receive any compensation for Cowher coaching for another team is if he did so within the next year. After this next year, he is free to come back and coach anywhere. The Steelers wouldn't have the rights to ask for reimbursement (according to the league - but what the heck do they know!)

[Atlanta Dan]

No shock here - just another example of how the players have a more difficult time getting out of NFL contracts than the coaches do. Nobody sticks it to pro athletes better than the NFL.

Cowher is free as a bird after 2007.