GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Lane Taylor didn’t get much more money this season than he would have if the Green Bay Packers gave him the lowest restricted free agent tender, but the backup guard has a chance to make slightly more in 2017.
In exchange for making sure no other team went after him, the Packers gave Taylor a $600,000 bonus as part of the two-year, $4.15 million contract he signed on Tuesday, but his total pay for 2016 is just $1.75 million.
The low tender was worth $1.671 million and would have given teams the chance to make Taylor an offer. The Packers could have matched the offer, but if they didn't, they would not have received any compensation.
Taylor's $600,000 signing bonus is the only guaranteed money. Here’s how the contract breaks down:
2016
Cash value: $1.75 million
Salary-cap charge: $1.45 million
Signing bonus: $600,000
Workout bonus: $50,000
Base salary: $1.1 million
Incentives: Up to $600,000 based on playing time, wins and playoffs (considered not likely to be earned for salary-cap purposes).
2017
Cash value: $2.4 million
Salary-cap charge: $2.7 million
Roster bonus: Up to $500,000 ($31,250 per game active)
Workout bonus: $50,000
Base salary: $1.85 million
Incentives: Up to $600,000 based on playing time and playoffs (considered not likely to be earned for salary-cap purposes).
