Brian McIntyre, who runs an outstanding site called Mac's Football Blog, is reporting this morning some behind-the-scenes details on the new contract signed Tuesday by Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Chris Kelsay.
First, and most importantly, Kelsay receives a $2 million option bonus immediately, as first reported by Mark Gaughan. McIntyre also reports that Kelsay's base salary has increased by about $460K - from $3.7 million to $4.16 million - and that he will make a little more than $3.4 million for the remaining 14 weeks of the season.
Kelsay also gets base salaries of $2 million (2011), $3.5 million (2012), $3.73 million (2013) and $3.75 million (2014). Guarantees and roster bonuses beyond the 2010 season are currently unknown, but Gaughan's report indicates that Kelsay's extension - from 2011 through 2014) - is worth $20 million (an average of $5 million per season), with another $4 million that can be earned in incentives.
What all of this boils down to: Kelsay gets a nice pay raise in 2010. The contract is slightly back loaded in terms of base salaries, but a complete understanding of the strategy of the contract can't be fully formulated until it's known how guarantees and bonuses fit into the equation.
Kelsay is one of five Bills outside linebackers under contract past the 2010 season, joining Aaron Maybin (signed through 2014), Reggie Torbor (2011), Chris Ellis (2011) and Antonio Coleman (at least 2012).