Plenty of players lose athletic ability in less than 2 years once they pass 30. Tom Briscoe is 32 now, and I wouldn't think anyone would say he is the player he was even two years ago. Schofield was done by 31, whereas Hanley kept to a standard until much older. Hardaker may be almost exactly the same standard in 2 years as he is now but he might not.
You just don't know when that decline will hit. It matters less in some positions (like a playmaker) but in others you lose the athleticism you lose the quality. What you don't want is to be stuck with a high earner whose performances have fallen off a cliff due to age.
Its all moot anyway. I wouldn't be surprised if Hardaker signs for one year or two years.
Statistics: Posted by Once were Loiners — Thu Oct 06, 2022 7:06 am — Replies 1652 — Views 315783