The details of the DeMarco Murray contract have made their way to PFT headquarters. And now they’ll be making their way to your desktop, laptop, tablet, and/or cell phone device.
Per a source with knowledge of the deal, here are the elements of the deal.
1. Contrary to widespread reports, the contract has a base value of $40 million over five years. That’s the same base value as the deal signed by Bills running back LeSean McCoy.
2. Another $2 million is available based on escalators for 2016 through 2019. For each year from 2015 through 2018 in which Murray rushes for 1,250 or more yards, $250,000 is added to the following year’s salary. At 1,450, the number increases to $500,000. To get the full $2 million, Murray must rush for 1,450 or more yards in each of the next four seasons.
3. In 2015, Murray has a $5 million signing bonus, a $3 million fully guaranteed 2015 roster bonus, and a $1 million fully guaranteed base salary. That’s $9 million in total compensation for 2015, all fully guaranteed.
4. In 2016, Murray has a $7 million base salary, fully guaranteed at signing.
5. In 2017, Murray has a $500,000 roster bonus due on the third day of the league year, along with a $7.5 million base salary. $2 million is fully guaranteed at signing. Another $3 million is guaranteed for injury only at signing; it becomes fully guaranteed on the third day of the 2017 league year.
6. In 2018, Murray has a $500,000 roster bonus due on the third day of the league year, plus a non-guaranteed base salary of $7.5 million.
7. In 2019, Murray has a $500,000 roster bonus due on the third day of the league year, plus a non-guaranteed base salary of $7.5 million.
Those details equate to $18 million fully guaranteed at signing. Another $3 million is guaranteed for injury only until March 2017.
As a practical matter, it’s at least a two-year, $18 million deal, and possibly (probably) a three-year, $24 million deal with a team-held option for 2018 and 2019.
The cap numbers are $5 million in 2015, $8 million in 2016, $9 million in 2017, $9 million in 2018, and $9 million in 2019. In contrast, LeSean McCoy would have had a cap number in Philly of more than $11 million for 2015.
Coupled with the fact that McCoy has 656 more career touches than Murray, coach Chip Kelly found a cheaper option with more tread on the tires. Ultimately, the question is whether Murray can move the chains the way McCoy did.
If Murray can, that $24 million over three years becomes a definite -- and $40 million over five becomes probable, along with some or all of the escalators available under the deal.
