It’s regarded as a foregone conclusion that the Eagles will cut quarterback Mike Vick after the 2012 season, given that he’s due to earn a base salary of $15.5 million in 2013.
Vick’s not the only high-profile player who could be on his way out of Philly.
Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha is due to earn a base salary of $15 million next season. Per a source with knowledge of the deal, $4 million of the salary is fully guaranteed. But $11 million isn’t; the question for the Eagles is whether they’re willing to pay Asomugha $4 million not to play for them — or $15 million to remain on the team.
Cutting Asomugha after the season would trigger no cap hit, other than the $4 million in guaranteed money. His contract had no signing bonus, with the Eagles using a structure that equates compensation to cap number each year.
There’s a way the Eagles could make Asomugha’s cash and cap number less problematic next season. Per the source, the contract reduces Asomugha’s pay by $3 million in 2013 if the participates in fewer than 90 percent of the snaps in 2011 or 2012. Benching Asomugha late in the year for a couple of games would prevent him from hitting that number, dropping his salary to $12 million.
Benching Asomugha to trigger a $3 million reduction in his pay may not be the wisest strategy for keeping him happy. Regardless, chances are he won’t be thrilled with his wages in 2013. Given the decline in his performance, no one will pay him $15 million next season.