Clayton: Missing camp cost Clemons over $1 million
Jul 19, 2012, 1:18 AM | Updated: 1:25 am
By Brady Henderson
It was well known that Chris Clemons forfeited a $100,000 workout bonus and was subject to at least $60,000 in cumulative fines for skipping the Seahawks’ three-day mandatory minicamp last month.
According to John Clayton, the Seahawks’ defensive end lost out on even more money. Way more.
Clayton said during Wednesday’s edition of “Cold Hard Facts” that by missing the minicamp, Clemons forfeited an escalator in his contract that had raised his 2012 base salary from $3 million to $4 million. According to Brian McIntyre of NFL.com, that escalator had been triggered by Clemons’ performances in 2010 and 2011.
“So right now, his three-day holdout has cost him $1.163 million,” Clayton said.
Of course, it could all be meaningless if the Seahawks and Clemons reach a new deal before the season. Clemons, who hasn’t missed a game and has led the team in sacks with 11 in each of the last two seasons, reportedly turned down the Seahawks’ three-year, $18 million offer last month. The Seahawks could, in theory, increase their offer, using the money they saved by cutting Mike Williams last week.
But as it stands, Clemons’ decision to skip minicamp was an incredibly costly one.
“If the agent didn’t make him aware of it, he’s probably looking for a new agent,” Clayton said.
