Assessing Tyrann Matheiu's Extension

Michael Ginnitti
Michael Ginnitti, Managing Editor & NFL/MLB ExpertAugust 05, 2016
© USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Cardinals clearly have seen enough from Tyrann Matheiu to know what they have, and rewarded him this week with a 5 year, $62.5M extension through 2021. The deal includes a $15.5M signing bonus, 2nd only to Joe Haden ($16M) among active defensive backs. Add in $1.17M in 2016 salary, and Matheiu will now earn $16.6M this season, up from $1.671 million in his previous deal.

 

Breaking Down the Guaranteed Money 

While Matheiu has a chance at $40M in guaranteed money, only $21.25M of it is fully guaranteed right now. That comes by way of a $15.5M signing bonus. a $1M 2016 salary, and a $4.75M 2017 salary. This $21.25M guaranteed at signing ranks 10th among active DBs, and 2nd among safeties. 

If he's on the first the first league day of 2018 (early March), his $5.75M salary for 2018 PLUS $8M of his 2019 salary become fully guaranteed. Two days later, his $5M roster bonus for 2018 guarantees, totaling $18.75M in new locked in cash (hence the $40M guaranteed widely reported). 

 

The Positional Debate

One of the more difficult factors in valuing this contract is the versatility Matheiu offers as both a cornerback and safety. Why does this matter? The Top 10 Average Paid Cornerback contracts currently account for an average of $12.9M per year; the average of the Top 10 paid safeties: $8.65M. 

Matheiu's $12.5M new money average salary is $2.25M more than the next highest multi-year safety contract (Harrison Smith, MIN, $10.25M). Among cornerbacks, it ties for 7th (Janoris Jenkins, NYG). 

 

The Practical Contract Details

While $62.5M looks good in the paper the next day, the reality of NFL contracts is they aren't what they appear to be. The Cardinals can walk away from this deal after the 2017 season, with no cash left to be paid, and $9.3M in unallocated bonus left as dead cap. Realistically though based on the structure of the guaranteed money, this is a 4 year, $43.6M contractthrough the 2019 season. After 2019 the Cardinals will take juat a $3.1M dead cap hit to release/trade Matheiu. 

 

View full breakdowns for all of Tryann Matheiu's contracts


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