Details emerged this morning about the make-up of Glenn Dorsey's contract extension. The defensive tackle signed a 2-year deal, which could keep him with the San Francisco 49ers through the 2016 season. I say "could" because there is plenty of non-guaranteed money in the deal. The new deal could be worth as much as $10.975 million.
Dorsey's previous contract was scheduled to pay him $2.3 million in 2014, with a cap hit of $3,792,500. His new contract does not include a lowering of his 2014 base salary. ESPN's Field Yates had the early figures on Dorsey's contract. Here is a rundown of Dorsey's numbers:
Signing Bonus: $2,075,000
2014
Base salary: $2,300,000
Prior to this extension, Dorsey's 2014 base salary was not guaranteed. The new contract guarantees $500,000 of his contract. I do not believe that changes anything with regard to the salary cap hit.
2015
Base salary: $1,500,000
Workout Bonus: $150,000
Roster Bonus: $200,000 ($12,500 per game)
Pro Bowl Bonus: $250,000
Playing Time Escalator: $500,000
2016
Base salary: $1,800,000
Workout Bonus: $150,000
Roster Bonus: $200,000 ($12,500 per game)
Pro Bowl Bonus: $250,000
Playing Time Escalator: $500,000
The signing bonus prorates over 2014, 2015, and 2016, which means he will take up another $691,667 in 2014 cap space. Additionally, the playing time escalators are connected to Dorsey playing 65 percent of defensive snaps in a season. To give you a comparison, in 2013, he played somewhere on the order of 41 percent of defensive snaps. If he works his way back into the starting nose tackle role, it seems unlikely he will reach the 65 percent of snaps. It is thus possible that incentive is listed as unlikely to be earned.
His best chance for extensive playing time will depend on the futures of Justin Smith and Ray McDonald. If one or both leaves the 49ers (retirement in Smith's case, potential release in McDonald's case), it opens the door for competition at the 3-4 defensive end roles. Tank Carradine, Quinton Dial, Tony Jerod-Eddie and Demarcus Dobbs would all be in the mix there, but opportunities will be available. I don't think Dorsey hits the 65 percent barrier, but you never know.