With only 26 members of the 2009 Seahawks slated to be on the opening-day roster, the number reportedly was due to shrink to 25. On Friday, however, coach Pete Carroll disputed reports that veteran tackle Sean Locklear was on the outs. (Rosenthal pointed it out earlier today.)
“He’s with us and [I’m] happy and thrilled to have him with us,” Carroll said Friday, via the Seattle Times. “There’s no issue about anything.”
Carroll should have said, “There’s no issue about anything . . . anymore.”
As first reported by Jason La Canfora of NFL Network, we’ve confirmed that Locklear gave up $2.25 million in 2010 pay in order to stay with the team.
Per a source with knowledge of the situation, Locklear agreed to a revised deal on Thursday, which reduced his base salary from $5.45 million to $1.315 million. Locklear also will earn a roster bonus of $1.935 million. That pushes his total pay to $3.25 million.
Despite a suggestion that Locklear will be able to make back some of the difference with incentives, the source tells us that the contract provides for no further compensation. Also, two additional years have been scuttled, and Locklear will be a free agent after the 2010 season.