Inside Martellus Bennett's 3-year, $21M contract
GREEN BAY – The structure of Martellus Bennett’s three-year contract with the Green Bay Packers essentially provides a team option after the first season, according to sources with access to the contract.
Bennett signed a three-year, $21 million contract Friday, replacing Jared Cook as a big, athletic tight end in coach Mike McCarthy’s offense. The deal came with a $6.3 million signing bonus – the only guaranteed money – and will pay $8.05 million in the first year.
The Packers are scheduled to pay Bennett a $2 million roster bonus next March on the third day of the 2018 league year.
There is no reason to think the Packers won’t pay the roster bonus if Bennett plays as expected this season. He was the most productive tight end on the free-agent market after helping push the New England Patriots to a Super Bowl LI title last season with 55 catches for 701 yards and seven touchdowns.
Excluding offensive lineman Don Barclay's deal signed Friday, the Packers have $28.2 million in cap space after signing Bennett, according to the NFLPA..
Here is a year-by-year breakdown of Bennett’s contract:
2017
Total cash: $8.05 million
Cap number: $3.85 million
Signing bonus: $6.3 million
Base salary: $900,000
Weekly roster bonus: $600,000 ($37,500 per game active on 46-man roster)
Workout bonus: $250,000
2018
Total cash: $6.45 million
Cap number: $8.55 million
Roster bonus: $2 million paid third day of league year
Base salary: $3.6 million
Weekly roster bonus: $600,000 ($37,500 per game active on 46-man roster)
Workout bonus: $250,000
2019
Total cash: $6.5 million
Cap number: $8.6 million
Base salary: $5.65 million
Weekly roster bonus: $600,000 ($37,500 per game active on 46-man roster)
Workout bonus: $250,000
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