Real, real close to being all the way there. That concession was likely the length of the deal, since the two sides had been working on a five-year deal earlier this month. Overall, the new deal will put George near the top of the league's pay scale for running backs. It is considered the largest deal for a running back. A signing bonus is usually a player's only guaranteed money in an NFL contract.
Players only earn their scheduled base salaries if they are on the team's roster.
George had informed Smith he did not want to take part in negotiations until the end of the 2000 season if the two sides had not reached an agreement before the Titans veterans report for training camp Friday. He would have become an unrestricted free agent in February if he had not agreed to a new deal with the Titans. With four seasons of at least 1,290 yards rushing in each and three Pro Bowl appearances, George has already met most of those incentives. George, who has not missed a game in his NFL career, has rushed for 5,365 yards in his first four seasons. That total is the sixth-highest in league history over a player's first four years, behind only the totals Eric Dickerson, Earl Campbell, Terrell Davis, Emmitt Smith and Barry Sanders put up after four seasons.