After initial reports of having signed former Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Kroft to a three-year, $18.75 million dollar contract, we now have the contract breakdown. Here’s our look, with a little help from ESPN’s Mike Rodak.
Starting off, Kroft will receive a $2.4 million signing bonus. Then on the third day of this year—which would be Friday, March 15th—he receives another $2.1 million roster bonus, followed by $1.8 million in salary and $100,000 workout bonus for 2019.
2020 comes with a $4.45 million salary, $2 million of which is guaranteed for injury (but not performance), and $100,000 workout bonus. A $750,000 roster bonus is due five days into the 2020 league year, at which point his full salary also becomes fully guaranteed.
2021 also starts with a $750,000 roster bonus due on the 5th day of the league year, $4.7 million salary, and $100,000 workout bonus.
All three years also include $31,250 per-game-active bonuses, for a maximum of $500,000 per year, and $500,000 in incentives based on receptions. 2021 has an additional $500,000 escalator, also based on receptions. With only four receptions last year, it’s presumed those incentives are Not Likely To Be Earned for cap purposes.
This contract has a very similar structure to the one signed by Spencer Long last month. Although at first glance there appears to be significant guarantees, they’re all absorbed during the first season. So while clearly signed to be a starter, this is essentially a year-to-year contract with no financial commitment beyond the current year.
2019
Signing bonus: $2.4 million
Roster bonus: $2.1 million due 3/15 (Guaranteed)
Workout bonus: $100,000
Salary: $1.8 million (Guaranteed)
Per-game active bonus: $31,250 per game up to $500,000
Incentives: $500,000 based on receptions
Maximum cash due: $7.4 million
2019 Salary Cap Number: $4,956,250
Additional potential earnings: $843,750
Dead money if released (non-injured): $6.3 million
2020
Roster bonus: $750,000 due 5th day of year
Workout bonus: $100,000
Base salary: $4.45 million
Per-game active bonus: $31,250 per game up to $500,000
Incentives: $500,000 based on receptions.
Maximum cash due: $6.3 million
2020 Salary Cap Number: $6,100,000*
Additional potential earnings: $1 million
Dead money if released (non-injured): $1.6 million before 5th day of year, $6.8 million after
Dead money if released (injured): $3.6 million before 5th day of year
2021
Roster bonus: $750,000 due 5th day of year
Workout bonus: $100,000
Base salary: $4.7 million
Per-game active bonus: $31,250 per game up to $500,000
Incentives/escalators: $1 million based on receptions
Maximum cash due: $7.05 million
2021 Salary Cap Number: $6,350,000*
Additional potential earnings: $1.5 million
Dead money if released: $800,000 before 5th day of year, $1.55 million after
*Note: 2020 and 2021 salary cap numbers will increase by any “unlikely to be earned” bonuses that are earned the previous year. What is considered to be “likely” and “unlikely” will also change based on the previous year’s results.