Last year safety James Ihedigbo signed a two-year contract with the Lions. This year Ihedigbo wants more money.
Ihedigbo’s agent told WXYZ in Detroit that he informed the Lions that Ihedigbo won’t participate in any offseason activities until he gets a new contract. It’s unclear whether he just means voluntary conditioning work that starts on April 20, or if Ihedigbo is also threatening to skip mandatory minicamp and training camp practices.
By skipping voluntary work, Ihedigbo will forego a $25,000 workout bonus. He has already received a $500,000 roster bonus this year, and he is due a $1.1 million base salary this season.
According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, part of Ihedigbo’s unhappiness stems from the Lions giving safety Isa Abdul-Quddus a contract that pays him $1.5 million. Ihedigbo is ahead of Abdul-Quddus on the depth chart and doesn’t see why a backup should be paid more than him.
Ihedigbo played well last season, but it’s hard to see any reason the Lions should give him a raise. He’ll turn 32 this season and is on the down side of his career, and the Lions will likely tell him he’s going to play for what he agreed to last year or not play at all. Which means that Ihedigbo will likely show up late, and disgruntled.
