The base value of quarterback Chase Daniel’s deal in Philadelphia over the next three years amounts to $21 million. Per a source with knowledge of the deal, Daniel can earn up to $15 million more in incentives and escalators.
At a minimum, Daniel gets a $6 million signing bonus and a $1 million base salary, fully guaranteed for skill, injury, and cap. Daniel has a $7 million base salary for 2017, $5 million of which is fully guaranteed at signing. In 2017, Daniel has a non-guaranteed base salary of $7 million.
That equates to cap numbers of $3 million in 2016, $9 million in 2017, and $9 million in 2018.
Here’s where it gets interesting. Daniel can earn up to $7.5 million in incentives based on 70 percent playing time and eight wins, nine wins, and a playoff berth with at least 10 wins. He gets the full $7.5 million if the Eagles win at least 10 games each of the next three years, and if they make the playoffs each of the next three years.
Another $3.75 million is available based on passing yards, with the magic number being 3,500. If he does it each of the next three years, he’ll make the full amount. The last $3.75 million comes from throwing at least 19 touchdown passes. Again, if Daniel does it each of the next three years, he gets the full amount.
If Daniel wins the starting job this year, and if he holds it through 2016, he has a good chance of earning the $7.5 million from passing yardage and touchdown passes. Significant team success will be required before the other $7.5 million is earned.
As a practical matter, the Eagles would likely rip up the remainder of the deal and give Daniel a new contract during or after the 2017 season, if he wins the starting job from Sam Bradford and carries it through the second year of Daniel’s deal. Regardless, the terms show that the two sides are at least contemplating the possibility of Daniel securing the job that the Eagles presumably signed Bradford to do.