By Glenn Naughton
The Jets reportedly made good on their word to increase the compensation of newly acquired wide receiver Brandon Marshall following the start of the new league year.
Marshall’s 2016 base salary compensation rose from $7.9 million to $9.5 million, which is guaranteed for injury only. Marshall’s 2017 base salary was narrowed from $8.3 million (plus $200,000 more in the form of a workout bonus) to $7.5 million, with a $700,000 de-escalator clause for any Super Bowl victory during the years of the contract.
In sum, Marshall’s new deal gives him the chance to earn $2.7 million more during the next two years, though he can earn $1 million less in 2017 than previously scheduled.
At the time of the trade, March 6, the Jets promised Marshall they’d sweeten his contract, a league source said, but they had to wait until at least May 22 to satisfy a league rule that prohibits re-working a player’s contract twice in a 12-month span. Marshall finalized an extension with the Chicago Bears on May 22, 2014. You may recall he actually signed the documents on live television, while appearing as a guest on “The View.”
Marshall’s previous deal would have topped out at a maximum of $24.3 million over three seasons. Under his new pact, he can earn up to $26 million in that span while his 2015 salary of $9 million becomes fully guaranteed.
According to ESPN.com, this was likely a tactic utilized by Gang Green to satisfy Marshall who was attracting multiple suitors once made available via trade.
Marshall’s arrival is expected to help rejuvenate a stagnant Jets offense as he joins Eric Decker, Jeremy Kerley and rookie Devin Smith in the Jets passing attack.
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