"For the player himself, going through these things and being asked publicly, and that's within the media's right to certainly inquire, we've been very private during our contract negotiations, and that will remain such. We place a high value on Jake, and we've negotiated to a level we feel comfortable with in all situations. Look, we respect the player, and they feel where their value is, and there's a gap," said Sweeney.
"That's why contracts eventually get done or don't. So I'll leave it at that because like I've said, we have other players who are in the same situation. So again, trying to be respectful of the situation is paramount to the organization and in treating the human being at this time. You got family dynamics and wondering if people will be moving around and wondering where they may or may not land, and that's the hardest part of the business," he added.