The Buffalo Bills added tight end Lee Smith after the 2019 NFL Draft while looking to further solidify the position. Smith brings experience to the table and Buffalo is paying him a yearly average similar to what he made when he left for the Oakland Raiders a couple years ago. Via Mike Rodak, we have the full breakdown.
While Smith didn’t get a signing bonus, he received a roster bonus of $1.5 million following signing and a fully guaranteed $1 million in 2020. This allowed the Bills to spread out the bonus money over two years, but not the entire three years of the contract. It has a very similar effect to a pro-rated signing bonus on the salary cap.
The deal is front-loaded, and the money goes down in each subsequent year. With the guarantees, Smith is a roster lock in 2019 but not beyond.
2019
Roster bonus: $1.5 million (guaranteed)
Workout bonus: $100,000
Salary: $1.9 million (guaranteed)
Cap hit: $3.5 million
2020
Roster bonus: $500,000
Workout bonus: $100,000
Salary: $2.65 million ($1 million fully guaranteed)
Cap hit: $3.25 million
Dead money: $1 million
Savings if cut at start of league year: $2.25 million
Savings if cut at roster cuts: $1.65 million
2021
Roster bonus: $250,000
Workout bonus: $100,000
Salary: $1.9 million
Cap hit: $2.25 million
Savings if cut at start of league year: $2.25 million
Savings if cut at roster cuts: $1.9 million