Pro Football Talk and NFL.com reported the numbers behind cornerback Richard Sherman's three-year, $39.15 million deal. Some of the details differ from what has been already reported.
Sherman represented himself in the contract negotiations with the 49ers.
Below is the compiled information reported by both sources. To earn the full amount of his potential salary, Sherman will have to play in all 48 regular-season games over the next three years, play in 90-percent of the defensive snaps, and make the Pro Bowl and be named an All-Pro each year.
The deal works out well for the 49ers because if Sherman earns the full $39.15 million, it means he played very well for the team over the three years.
The 49ers have an easy out after the 2018 season. They can release Sherman before the start of the new league year in 2019 without owing him anything beyond what was already paid.
Signing Bonus
$3 million (not $5 million as previously reported by Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network).
Base Salaries
2018: $2 million
2019: $7 million (becomes $8 million -- which is guaranteed for injury -- if he makes the Pro Bowl in 2018)
2020: $7 million (becomes $8.75 million if he makes the Pro Bowl in both 2018 and 2019; $8 million if he just makes the 2019 Pro Bowl)
Roster Bonuses
2018 training camp: $2 million when he reports and successfully passes a physical. Starting training camp on the physically unable to perform list or the non-football illness/injury list will void the bonus.
2018 per-game roster bonuses: $2 million total ($125,000 per game)
2019 per-game roster bonuses: $2 million total (drops to $1 million if he makes the Pro Bowl in 2018)
2020 per-game roster bonuses: $2 million total (drops to $1 million if he makes the Pro Bowl in 2019; $250,000 if he makes the Pro Bowl in 2018 and 2019)
Playing-time Incentives
2018: $1 million if he plays 90-percent of the defensive snaps
2019: $1 million if he plays 90-percent of the defensive snaps
2020: $1 million if he plays 90-percent of the defensive snaps
Workout Bonuses
2018: $50,000
2019: $50,000
2020: $50,000 (voided if he makes the Pro Bowl in 2018 and 2019)
Other Incentives
Pro Bowl selection in 2018: $1 million
Pro Bowl selection in 2019: $1 million
Pro Bowl selection in 2020: $1 million
Named All-Pro in 2018: $2 million
Named All-Pro in 2019: $2 million
Named All-Pro in 2020: $2 million
