All articles tagged with #signing bonus
The Detroit Lions required center Frank Ragnow to repay a portion of his signing bonus after retirement; Lions president Rod Wood says this is a longstanding precedent dating back to Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson, and with Ragnow’s $6 million signing bonus and two years left on his contract at retirement, about $3 million was owed, a sum tied to the team recovering money paid in advance for services not rendered.
United Airlines and its flight attendants' union reached a tentative labor agreement that includes immediate raises, a top pay of $100 per hour, pay for boarding and disruption times, and a $740 million signing bonus; if ratified, it would make United the last major U.S. carrier to secure a cabin-crew deal post-pandemic, following a previously rejected offer that included a 26% raise.
Seattle exercised fifth-year options on Devon Witherspoon and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, then reached a record extension with JSN that makes him the NFL’s highest-paid WR and Seahawks’ top earner. The deal features a $35M fully guaranteed signing bonus, a $30M 2027 option bonus, a $10M 2029 option bonus, fully guaranteed base salaries through 2029, guarantees on 2028–2029 salaries, escalating base salaries through 2031, a 2032 void year, and workout/roster bonuses that drive cap hits through 2031.
Mike Evans’s deal with the San Francisco 49ers amounts to a $42.5 million base over 2026–2028, starting with a $12 million signing bonus and guaranteed structures, plus workout and per-game bonuses; it includes $12.5 million and $10.95 million option bonuses and could reach about $60.4 million with incentives, with Evans reportedly prioritizing the 49ers (and tax considerations) over higher-paying offers elsewhere.
Detroit signed Framber Valdez to a three-year, $115 million deal with a $20 million signing bonus, an opt-out after year two, and some deferred money, reuniting him with manager A.J. Hinch to form a formidable 1-2 at the top of Detroit’s rotation behind Tarik Skubal; the move signals a win-now approach and could influence Skubal’s arbitration outcome and future trade discussions.
Baltimore is reportedly pursuing a five-year, about $287 million extension for Lamar Jackson to push his average past $60 million per year, effectively replacing his current two-year, $104 million deal. The plan hinges on cap-efficient structuring (including a large signing bonus and guarantees) and Jackson’s preferences on guarantees; regardless, the Ravens could rework the arrangement later if needed as they work toward making him the league’s highest-paid QB again.
Micah Parsons signed a lucrative five-year deal with the Green Bay Packers, featuring a $44 million signing bonus, fully guaranteed salaries, and incentives, reflecting the team's strong interest in acquiring him from the Cowboys.
The Miami Dolphins restructured Minkah Fitzpatrick's contract, converting $14.245 million of his salary into a signing bonus and moving $2 million from 2026 to 2025, resulting in a $16.245 million signing bonus but no guarantees for 2026.
The Colorado Rockies signed their No. 4 overall draft pick, Ethan Holliday, to a $9 million bonus, the largest ever for a high school player, with Holliday expected to become their top prospect due to his athleticism, power, and defensive skills, although he may eventually move to a different position.
Zach Tom signed a four-year, $88 million extension with the Green Bay Packers, including a historic $30.2 million signing bonus, making him the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history. The deal secures his future with the team and reflects his rising value as a versatile and improving tackle.
Travis Hunter received his full $30.57 million signing bonus upfront, a rare deal for non-quarterbacks, highlighting his value and the team's commitment. His contract structure emphasizes the importance of his dual roles, with future pay considerations linked to his playing position and performance, especially after his third season.
The Seattle Mariners have agreed to a $3 million bonus with second-round draft pick Ryan Sloan, a high school pitcher from Illinois, pending a physical. This amount is significantly above the slot value for the 55th overall pick, indicating the team's high regard for Sloan's potential.
The Detroit Tigers selected high school shortstop Bryce Rainer with the 11th overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, followed by high school pitchers Owen Hall and Ethan Schiefelbein. The Tigers' draft strategy focuses on acquiring top talent despite potential signing bonus challenges, with a total draft bonus pool of $11.92 million.
French soccer star Kylian Mbappe is set to join Real Madrid on a free transfer, reportedly receiving a signing-on bonus of at least $108 million over five years. The 25-year-old World Cup winner expressed his excitement on social media, calling it a "dream come true." Financial details of the deal vary, with some reports suggesting a higher bonus and a percentage of image rights. Mbappe's move comes after a successful season with Paris Saint-Germain, where he scored 44 goals and helped secure the Ligue 1 title.
The Washington Commanders have released kicker Brandon McManus following sexual assault allegations. McManus, who signed a $3.6 million deal with a $1.5 million signing bonus in March, denies the claims and plans to fight them legally. The Commanders have only paid half of his signing bonus and may refuse to pay the remaining amount, potentially leading to arbitration. The team currently has no other kicker on the roster.