In the past, contract negotiations for NFL rookies spilled into training camp on a regular basis. Those days have been dead since 2011. Although there are still negotiating points, the new collective bargaining agreement installed something similar to the rookie wage scale in the NBA. Each of the up to 256 draft slots are allotted... Continue Reading →
Rookies are very limited with the types of Performance Incentives allowed in their contracts. While veterans can receive bonuses for attaining certain individual and/or team statistics and/or rankings, rookies can only receive incentives for playtime percentage (figured out by dividing player’s total offensive or defensive plays by the team’s total offensive or defensive plays) (Art.... Continue Reading →
The Proven Performance Escalator (PPE) rewards draft choices from later rounds for contributions that exceed their draft slot. The PPE is a part of all rookie contracts for any player selected in rounds 3-7. First- and second-round draft choices, along with undrafted free agents, do not qualify for the PPE (Art. 7, Sec. 4, (a-b),... Continue Reading →
Every player selected in the first round of the NFL Draft will automatically have a Fifth-Year Option added in his contract. This option cannot be separately attached to the player contract. The option allows a team to retain a player’s rights for five years rather than the standard four, which is the bonus of selecting... Continue Reading →
