Center Bryan Stork may still retire, but if he does he’ll do so as a member of a new team.
Washington and New England have announced that Stork, a fourth-round pick in 2014, has been traded from the Patriots. The move came hours after news emerged that Stork would be cut, which apparently sparked trade interest from Washington.
Why trade for a player who was going to be released? With fewer than four seasons in the NFL, Stork would have passed through waivers -- and Washington is low on the pecking order due to making it to the playoffs in 2015.
If Stork retires, he’ll owe Washington half of the $477,000 signing bonus he received in 2014. That’s a potential obligation of $238,500, along with $600,000 in lost salary for 2016.
So if he retires, Stork will be out $838,500.