Menelik Watson Broncos deal: $18.37M, $4M signing bonus, $11M gtd, salaries $1.5M (gtd), $5.5M, $5.5M (2019 option year)
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 11, 2017
Once again, Watson’s contract table is beyond the fold.
| Year | Base Salary | Prorated Signing Bonus | Per-Game Roster Bonus | Workout Bonus | Cap Number | Dead Money (pre-6/1 cut) | Cap Savings |
| 2017 | $1,500,000 | $1,333,333 | $500,000 | $125,000 | $3,458,333 | $5,500,000 | ($2,041,667) |
| 2018 | $5,500,000 | $1,333,333 | $500,000 | $125,000 | $7,458,333 | $2,666,667 | $4,791,667 |
| 2019 | $5,500,000 | $1,333,333 | $500,000 | $125,000 | $7,458,333 | $1,333,333 | $6,125,000 |
italics – fully guaranteed
In addition to the per-game roster bonuses and workout bonuses to round out Wilson’s tweet, I’ve learned that Watson’s 2018 base salary is guaranteed for injury only, and will be fully guaranteed on the 5th day of the 2018 league year. Thus, Watson’s full guarantees are only $5.5 million.
This is a contract that has a structure identical to that of Donald Stephenson. It ties the Broncos to Watson for only one season for sure, and if his performance matches Stephenson’s (let’s hope not!) it’s easy enough to part ways after 2017.
And yes, 2019 has a team option. Gotta build that comp pick ammo.