In 2011, receiver Laurent Robinson opted to take the chance on a one-year, minimum salary contract with the Cowboys, hoping to parlay a big season into an even bigger payday. He wasn’t alone; after the market softened during the lockout-delayed free agency period in 2011, plenty of guys went with one-year contracts and the promise of more money later.
Unlike most of those other guys, Robinson made it work.
Per a source with knowledge of the contract, Robinson pocketed from the Jaguars an $8 million signing bonus, along with another $5.6 million in fully-guaranteed money.
In all, Robinson’s payout consists of a $1 million fully-guaranteed base salary in 2012, a fully-guaranteed $2 million roster bonus in 2012, a fully-guaranteed base salary of $2.6 million in 2013, and the following non-guaranteed base salaries in 2014 through 2016: $5.6 million, $6.4 million, and $6.4 million.
Robinson also is eligible for a $100,000 workout bonus per year, and up to $600,000 each season in incentive payments.
It adds up to $32.5 million over five years, a fair reward for the risk he took with a six-figure salary in 2011.