Curious George Monkeys Around Qb Continues To Explore His Options As Falcons, Seahawks Are Left Waiting
On the eve of today’s NFL trading deadline, the Atlanta Falcons were put on hold Monday night in their last-minute efforts to trade exiled quarterback Jeff George.
A source with the Falcons said Monday that the team was willing to trade George to Seattle for Seahawks quarterback Rick Mirer, but George was holding up the deal with his reluctance to commit to Seattle past this season.
According to several reports, Seattle already has offered George a six-year, $30 million contract, including a $5 million signing bonus, if he agrees to the trade.
George has said he is interested in testing the free-agent market after the season.
“It’s out of my control, really,” said Falcons vice-president for player personnel Ken Herock Monday night. “… It’s now in Jeff’s hands to make a decision.”
Herock hinted that players other than George and Mirer could be involved.
“The parameters (of the trade) haven’t been finalized,” Herock said.
Herock said the Oakland Raiders “had inquiries” about George but had made no serious offer. He specifically denied the Raiders had offered defensive tackle Chester McGlockton and quarterback Jeff Hostetler.
George turned down a five-year, $25-million offer from Atlanta last season. After missing the first two weeks of training camp this year, he finally signed a one-year, $3.64 million contract that gave him the right to be an unrestricted free agent after the season.
George’s free-agent wish may come sooner than expected. If no trade is finalized by 1 p.m. PDT today, the Falcons may release George, who then could negotiate with any team.
George’s agent, Leigh Steinberg, confirmed Monday night that he was involved in “ongoing” contract negotiations to complete the deal. Mirer’s agent, Marvin Demoff, did not return messages.
Falcons coach June Jones and George talked Monday for the first time since George was suspended on Sept. 23.
“He is about like I am, just waiting to see what happens,” Jones said. Jones called the conversation “a good talk … it was kind of personal.” But Jones said there will be reconciliation between the Falcons and George.
“Our options obviously are limited after (today),” Jones said. “Either the suspension goes for a couple more weeks or he’s released. That’s probably the two things.”
Jones suspended George without pay after the quarterback argued with him on the sideline for about 10 minutes, using what Jones said was “very serious” language, during the Falcons’ 33-18 loss to Philadelphia on Sept. 22.
George is expected to appeal the suspension.
Bobby Hebert has started the last two games for the Falcons, including Sunday’s 28-24 loss at Detroit that left Atlanta 0-5. The Falcons play host to Houston Sunday.
Mirer, the No. 2 pick in the 1993 NFL draft, struggled this season and lost his starting job to John Friesz.