Bears can cut Peppers after one year

[Kevin Greene]

Wonder if his crack agent missed this clause?

Bears can pull the plug on Peppers after one year

Posted by Mike Florio on March 8, 2010 11:07 PM ET

We mentioned earlier tonight some of the details relating to the Julius Peppers deal. We've picked up some more information about the contract, and it's now clear that if the Bears clean house after the 2010 season, it'll be easier for the new regime to bid Peppers adieu.

As Peter King of SI.com pointed out this afternoon, Peppers gets $20 million in 2010 (all but a $100,000 workout bonus is guaranteed). But the $22 million in guaranteed money that he's due to receive in 2011 and 2012 is guaranteed for injury only.

This means that the Bears can decide after the 2010 season to cut Peppers for skill reasons -- and they'll owe him nothing.

Specifically, Peppers' 2011 base salary of $900,000 is guaranteed for injury at the time it's signed; on February 10, 2011, it becomes guaranteed for skill. Also, a $10.5 million roster bonus due in 2011 is guaranteed for injury at signing. On February 10, 2011, it becomes guaranteed for skill.

An $8.9 million base salary in 2012 is guaranteed for injury at signing and then for skill as of February 10, 2012.

Finally, $1.8 million of Peppers' 2013 base salary is guaranteed for injury only.

So, basically, if the Bears decide before February 10, 2011 that Peppers isn't what they thought he'd be, they can treat it as a one-year, $20 million deal, and walk away.

[AKPantherFan]

Carma is a ******

[Dpantherman]

Carma is a ******

1) its Karma. 2) won't happen.

[Carolina Mike]

Hope they cut him...LOL

[SorthNarolina]

Carma is a ******

Why would it be Karma? He hasn't done anything wrong. Quit sulking. I'm tired of everybody making all of these comments at Peppers because they have their feelings hurt.

[Brandon]

Pep is gonna find out really fast that Carey is not cut out to be an NFL agent, putting together a contract like that is horrible for someone like Pep.

[R0CKnR0LLA]

Assuming the cap is reinstated in 2011, wouldn't they take a big cap hit if they did that?

[grateflday]

Pep is gonna find out really fast that Carey is not cut out to be an NFL agent, putting together a contract like that is horrible for someone like Pep.

I dont know about that. Even before Pep signed anywhere I felt he would have one of his best seasons next year. It was obviouse he was doing just enough here to show he could still play while not being his best other times. Pep was going to want to prove something his first year were ever he went and I felt we would see the Pep we hoped to have here. With this clause in his contract that is even more motivation for him to perform.

[Mesmer]

Assuming the cap is reinstated in 2011, wouldn't they take a big cap hit if they did that?

And assuming Peppers is a FA bust and there's a lockout in 2011, they look brilliant.

[Udogg]

ROFL...who did this contract? Master P?

[ThPantherFan]

Why would it be Karma? He hasn't done anything wrong. Quit sulking. I'm tired of everybody making all of these comments at Peppers because they have their feelings hurt.

I don't think it is a matter of hurt feelings, but that he is not worth what people are willing to pay. When he is putting out 100 percent, yes. He is too inconsistent in my book.

[ThPantherFan]

And assuming Peppers is a FA bust and there's a lockout in 2011, they look brilliant.

.....and he laughs all the way to the bank.

[g5jamz]

Genius move Bears...

[CatMan72]

LOL, you guys sound like a chick that was dumped.

Welcome to the NFL post 1993, this is what happens - every once in a while you lose a good player.