I'm trying out this theory that they aren't going to extend anybody this year. They're going to save as much as they can, roll it into next year, do all of their extensions next year, and throw the rollover money at some big dollar, 1-year deals.
Okung isn't going to take much less from us, at least until he finds out on the open market that he can't get it. That is the problem with those guys that signed the huge rookie contracts. They are still looking to get raises on their next deals, just like everybody else is, and won't be happy accepting a paycut. At least, his number is already so high that we're likely to be able lower the cap hit at the beginning of the contract pretty significantly if we so choose.
I think those implying he isn't worth it, may not remember what happened when he was out, and haven't seen teams with below average talent at LT and their struggles. If you've got a pretty good one, and ours is better than that when healthy, you don't really have a choice but to pay him, unless maybe if you're picking in the top 7 and you love a guy there.