By Brad Biggs
If the Bears choose to part ways with veteran left tackle Orlando Pace following the season, it will not have a significant financial impact if there is an extension of the collective bargaining agreement.
Pace signed a three-year contract in April worth a total of $15 million, but the deal included a signing bonus of only $1 million. The bulk of his money in the first year of the deal was tied up in a $3.4 million roster bonus.
Vaughn McClure reported in today's Tribune that Pace has lost his starting job to 2008 first-round draft pick Chris Williams. Pace missed the last two games with a groin muscle injury but was listed as having full participation in Wednesday's practice.
The Bears signed the 34-year-old Pace, just hours after trading for quarterback Jay Cutler, with the idea that he would be a one- or two-year bridge. The plan was never for him to complete the contract, and the deal is pretty balanced.
If the Bears choose to part ways with veteran left tackle Orlando Pace following the season, it will not have a significant financial impact if there is an extension of the collective bargaining agreement.
Pace signed a three-year contract in April worth a total of $15 million, but the deal included a signing bonus of only $1 million. The bulk of his money in the first year of the deal was tied up in a $3.4 million roster bonus.
Vaughn McClure reported in today's Tribune that Pace has lost his starting job to 2008 first-round draft pick Chris Williams. Pace missed the last two games with a groin muscle injury but was listed as having full participation in Wednesday's practice.
The Bears signed the 34-year-old Pace, just hours after trading for quarterback Jay Cutler, with the idea that he would be a one- or two-year bridge. The plan was never for him to complete the contract, and the deal is pretty balanced.
Here is a snapshot of the contract:
2009
$1 million signing bonus
$3.4 million roster bonus
$250,000 workout bonus
$1.35 million base salary
Total: $6 million
Cap number: $5,333,333
2010
$250,000 workout bonus
$3.75 million base salary
Total: $4 million
Cap number: $4,333,333
2011
$250,000 workout bonus
$4.75 million base salary
Total: $5 million
Cap number: $5,333,333
The Bears are going to start their day for the media at Halas Hall soon. Lance Briggs will speak in about 10 minutes. The Bears will move from the Walter Payton Center to their outdoor practice fields a little later on this afternoon.
Photo: Orlando Pace blocks the Eagles' Trent Cole during a Week 11 loss to Philadelphia. (Brian Casella/Tribune)
2009
$1 million signing bonus
$3.4 million roster bonus
$250,000 workout bonus
$1.35 million base salary
Total: $6 million
Cap number: $5,333,333
2010
$250,000 workout bonus
$3.75 million base salary
Total: $4 million
Cap number: $4,333,333
2011
$250,000 workout bonus
$4.75 million base salary
Total: $5 million
Cap number: $5,333,333
The Bears are going to start their day for the media at Halas Hall soon. Lance Briggs will speak in about 10 minutes. The Bears will move from the Walter Payton Center to their outdoor practice fields a little later on this afternoon.
Photo: Orlando Pace blocks the Eagles' Trent Cole during a Week 11 loss to Philadelphia. (Brian Casella/Tribune)
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You made some good points there. I did a search on the topic and found most people will agree with your blog.
Pace will retire at the end of this season anyway!