At a time when few young players are signing long-term deals, 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman has decided to take the money and run -- before he can’t run anymore.
Per a league source, the deal that Bowman accepted includes less than $8 million in fully-guaranteed money, via a $7.5 million signing bonus and the balance of his $540,000 base salary for 2012. But the deal contains millions more in salary guaranteed for injury only, for now.
In 2013, a $4 million option bonus is due to Bowman; it’s fully guaranteed for now. Ditto for Bowman’s $630,000 base salary in 2013. The salary becomes fully guaranteed at the start of the 2013 league year.
In 2014, Bowman has a $4 million base salary, which is guaranted for injury, for now. It becomes fully guaranteed at the start of the 2014 league year. He also can earn per-game active roster bonuses that total, if all earned, $750,000.
In 2015, Bowman’s base salary is $4.7 million. Again, it’s guaranteed for now for injury only. It becomes fully guaranteed at the start of the 2015 league year. Bowman also has the per-game roster bonuses that total $750,000.
In 2016, the base salary is $5.85 million. $4.17 million of it is guaranteed for injury only for now; it becomes fully guaranteed at the start of the 2016 league year. Bowman once again has the per-game roster bonuses that total $750,000.
In 2017, Bowman’s base salary is $6.75 million, non-guaranteed, with the per-game roster bonuses that total $750,000.
In 2018, the salary pushes to $8.7 million, with the per-game roster bonuses that total $750,000.
Given the free-agent market for linebackers (it’s nearly as soft as the veteran running back market) and the ever-present injury risk for a young player making minimum salaries, it makes sense for Bowman to take an offer that, in reality, he couldn’t have refused.