:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45915456/usa-today-8148392.0.jpg)
Before the new NFL season began on March 10, Buffalo Bills guard Kraig Urbik was a player that many had earmarked as a potential cap casualty, given his $3.75 million cap hit. Instead, it's looking like the veteran starter is now a lock to be back with the team last season, as ESPN's Mike Rodak is passing along that Urbik has significantly restructured his contract.
Bills have restructured the contract of guard Kraig Urbik. Base salary in 2015 reduced by $1.5M. More details to come...
— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) March 17, 2015
Kraig Urbik remains under contract through 2016. His base salary in ’16 reduced from $2.9M to $1.2M. Looks like strict pay cut.
— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) March 17, 2015
Kraig Urbik was set to receive a $300k roster bonus on 5th day of league year. Not known whether he received that. Old ‘15 cap # was $3.75M.
— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) March 17, 2015
Urbik, who will turn 30 this September, has been a starting guard for the Bills for the last four seasons. He spent the majority of the 2014 season working as the left guard, after losing a starting job following three straight seasons as the right guard. As the depth chart sits today, he'd have an inside track at a starting job again, along with February signing Richie Incognito, and his chances of sticking with the team for the regular season skyrocket after taking the pay cut.
Whether or not the Bills can pull off a similar restructure for Chris Williams (cap hit: $3.35 million) is another question, entirely - but man, would that be nice.