We now know the contract details for the Buffalo Bills’ most recent free-agent signing, Pro Bowl return specialist Andre Roberts, thanks to Mike Rodak of ESPN. Roberts gets a two-year contract worth $5.1 million, with $3 million guaranteed.
In addition to a $1 million signing bonus, he is set to receive a fully guaranteed $2 million salary in 2019 and another non-guaranteed $1.3 million in 2020. There’s also a $100,000 roster bonus in 2020, a $100,000 workout bonus for both years, and a $250,000 incentive based on receptions.
While the contract totals may initially seem steep, as a nine-year veteran Roberts is ensured a $930,000 minimum salary. An additional $1.3 million/year for a reigning Pro Bowler starts to bring this contract into better perspective. The $3 million guaranteed may be the more shocking number, but that will be a non-factor if he plays out both seasons.
With this addition obviously focused on improving our special-teams play, the incentives for receptions is also an interesting twist. Including such incentives indicates his receiving skills are on the team’s radar, despite only having 36 receptions for 414 yards over the past four seasons combined. It looks like Roberts might have the chance to be a productive wide receiver, and not just relegated to special-teams snaps, making this contract even more of a potential value.
2019
Pro-rated portion of signing bonus: $500,000
Workout bonus: $100,000
Salary: $2 million (Guaranteed)
Incentives: $250,000 based on receptions
2019 Salary-Cap Number: $2,600,000
Additional potential earnings: $250,000
Dead money if released (non-injured): $3 million, $3.1 million if workout bonus earned
2020
Pro-rated portion of signing bonus: $500,000
Roster bonus: $100,000
Workout bonus: $100,000
Base salary: $1.3 million
Incentives: $250,000 based on receptions.
2020 Salary-Cap Number: $2,000,000
Additional potential earnings: $250,000
Dead money if released: $500,000 before 5th day of year, $600,000 after, $700,000 if workout bonus earned