I'd keep Schoen on the ELC unless he wants to sign for two more years beyond this upcoming season -even then, not 100% sure I would. We've got lots of big contracts. They need to be offset with cheaper deals that overperform and that's what Schoen's deal does. We would also be paying Schoen at peak value. This time next year he may not be quite so on top of the world, and if he is, then you just back up the truck like you'd have to this year.
Yes, that's what I was saying. If he's on 2yr ELC (and no one said he isn't), and if NFL doesn't care about him, then why bump him at all. And why massive-bump him to top-10% pay in the league? Ya, feelz, yada yada. I like the idea of a small bump and/or bonuses. I like the idea of promising him more in the future. If he stays on his trajectory he probably will earn $180 in his year 3. Why not $120 (all in) in year 2, and $180 year 3, and probably over $200 in year 4?
Look at Bailey... I bet he was on the ELC for his first 2 years. I bet Lawler was close to it too (even though he didn't rookie with us). Ya, Schoen>Bailey, but $150 for Schoen in year 2 is going to make a lot of present and future IMP ELCs a bit miffed. Can anyone think of another year 2 ELC guy on any team that has been offered big money in year 2?? Excluding Rourke, as a QB is a different situation.
At the end of the day, I don't think Schoen will ever be Lawler, nor she he earn as much. Lawler has level-upped to crazy level and makes catches I've never once seen Schoen make. They are completely different receivers, completely different styles, that can't even be compared. It doesn't mean Schoen can't be a long-term great for us. He can certainly be a league-wide top-5 receiver for many years. But to bump him up to crazy money in year 2 when even Lawler and other greats didn't get treated like that??
Lastly, I'm trying to think of a CFL player in the last decade to compare Schoen to... I'm drawing blanks. Who had this kid's style? Surely there must be someone. I was thinking Cahoon, but Cahoon would often make Lawler/Dressler circus catches. Schoen is unique.