The Raiders last month gave defensive lineman Richard Seymour a two-year, $30 million contract. That part is accurate.
The deal widely was reported as having $22.5 million guaranteed. That part was less accurate.
Per a league source, only $15 million was fully guaranteed upon signing. That guarantee comes in the form of a guaranteed base salary of $15 million.
The other $7.5 million in guaranteed money is guaranteed for injury only. On the fifth day of the 2012 league year, the amount becomes fully guaranteed. The deal also carries a $7.5 million roster bonus that becomes guaranteed on the fifth day of the 2012 league year.
Thus, Seymour signed a one-year, $15 million deal, and he gave the Raiders an exclusive option on a second one-year, $15 million deal. He’ll get $22.5 million guaranteed only if he suffers a catastrophic injury in 2011.