Getty ImagesIt’s perhaps the best proof that the Dolphins plan to spend their cap money on new players.
The five-year, $30.775 million deal signed last week by receiver Brian Hartline has a 2013 cap number of only $2.115 million, per a source with knowledge of the contract.
That cap number comes from 20 percent of a $7 million signing bonus and a $715,000 base salary, which is fully guaranteed.
Next year, the cap number moves to $6.21 million, via a fully-guaranteed base salary of $4.785 million and a $25,000 workout bonus.
The cap numbers increase in 2015, with figures of $7.35 million, $7.55 million, and $7.55 million respectively over the final three years of the deal. At some point in those final three years, the Dolphins could decide not to pay Hartline base salary of $5.9 million, $6.1 million, and $6.1 million, respectively.
For now, though, the Dolphins have plenty of flexibility, even after inking one of their current guys to a deal worth more than $30 million.
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Smart. That contract initially looked way too high but this gives the team some flexibility moving forward. I’d like to see one year of Hartline with a true #1 opposite him before committing to that much money to him in the long run.
Basically on the hook for two years. Since Philbin arrived, Ireland has been makin pretty good decisions.
“Hartline deal is cap-friendly for now, despite Miami’s cap space”
fox butterfield, is that you?
Ireland is not the moron people in the media and poorly informed fans think he is. The guy is savvy and smart and I’m excited about Free Agency and the Draft.
If you are in charge of a football team that is consistently 7- 9, then you ARE a moron!
I would not want to be a Jets or Eagles fans, both are in for a long season in 2013-14. Neither have a QB.
Like I have been saying since it came out he was getting 12m guaranteed, that the 30m will only be seen if Hartline Produces and is worth the money if not he will be cut, but losing him would have been horrible. Ask any young qb if musical chairs with WRs helps in their progression.