The details of Sidney Rice’s one-year contract leaked out Monday morning, and as expected, the Seahawks aren’t paying big money for the talented, but oft-injured receiver.
USA Today’s Tom Pelissero has the details on Rice’s contract:
Sidney Rice got a $150K signing bonus from #Seahawks. Base salary of $1M and split salary of $500K in case of injury.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 21, 2014
Rice also has $250K in per-game roster bonuses ($15,625K for each week he’s on the 46-man roster).
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 21, 2014
So basically, if Rice stays healthy and plays all season, the Seahawks will be on the hook for $1.4 million in 2014, which would be a steal. Then again, that’s a big “if” when we’re talking about Rice’s health seeing as he missed seven games in 2011 following multiple concussions, as well as the second half of last season and the entire postseason with a torn ACL. Rice also missed significant playing time in Minnesota with a hip injury, and had surgery on both shoulders following the 2011 season, though he did play all 16 games in 2012.
So with Rice back in the fold, where to the Seahawks stand at receiver? In addition to Rice, Seattle has nine receivers on its roster: Doug Baldwin, Phil Bates, Arceto Clark, Percy Harvin, Jermaine Kearse, Ricardo Lockette, Chris Matthews, Taylor Price and Bryant Walters.
If Rice is indeed healthy, he figures to have a significant role on the team, though his contract means he wouldn’t be that difficult to cut, from a financial standpoint, if he doesn’t look like he’s up to speed. Baldwin and Harvin are locks to be on the roster, and it would be a big surprise if Kearse isn’t in the mix as well. Lockette didn’t put up big numbers after returning to Seattle last season, but became a big contributor on special teams, which helps his chances of making the team. The Seahawks very well could add a receiver or two in the draft as well, creating a battle for the last roster spots between any new rookies, Lockette and the rest of the names listed above. Of the newcomers this offseason, one possible player to watch is Matthews, who at 6-foot-5 has very good size for the position, but no NFL experience. Matthews, who played at the University of Kentucky, was the Canadian Football League rookie of the year in 2012, but missed most of last season due to injury.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
