Following numerous reports that the Seattle Seahawks and veteran defensive end Chris Clemons where in the middle of renegotiating his contract, it appears those talks have come to a permanent stand-still, at least for the 2012 season.
Len Paquarelli of the Sports Xchange explains the Seahawks have indeed extended a restructured contract to Clemons that would double his current $4 million salary for the 2012 season, Clemons has opted to not sign along the dotted line.
“The Seahawks offered Clemons a new three-year contract through 2014 that would essentially have boosted his 2012 compensation to $8 million, and added two years, at salaries of $4.5 million for the 2013 season and $5.5 million for 2014″.
Paquarelli added that Clemons was eligible to earn an additional $500,000 if he recorded 10 or more sacks. However, if Clemons would have signed the contract offered by the Seahawks front office, and $10 million with the added years, not including bonuses, it would have “bought out” his change to hit free agency for the 2013 season. Cleary the added years and additional funds to his contract wasn’t enough for Clemons to sacrifice an opportunity to market his talents as early as next spring, forcing him to reject the offer.
So where exactly does that leave the two sides?
Clemons will play out the final year of his contract during the 2012 season, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent following the 2012 season. However his move to decline the Seahawks offer is a huge gamble. First, if the front office is inclined to slap Clemons with the franchise tag after the season, that is an option they will have at their disposal. Next is the potential that Clemons doesn’t have another stellar season with the Hawks which will drastically reduce his chances of getting a similar contract with another team. But even more important than that, if Clemons manages to suffer an injury at any point during the season, this nine-year veteran will see very few teams contacting his agent next year, and the Seahawks will have the option to cut their ties!
As a nine-year veteran of the league, Clemons has been a journeyman defensive end playing with four teams, Washington Redskins (2004-05), Oakland Raiders (2007), Philadelphia Eagles (2008-09), and now the Seahawks.
It’s a bold move on Clemons part, but if all goes well and he can remain healthy while having another solid year with the Hawks, he just might be able to see one final contract that suits his needs.
Original Story:
http://seattlesportsnut.com/chris-cle...
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June 19, 2012
