Station: Charles’ contract with Broncos detailed

Published 6:23 pm Thursday, May 18, 2017

Jamaal Charles reportedly can makeup to $3.75 million this season, but may only earn $100,000 if the 2005 Port Arthur Memorial graduate were to not make the Denver Broncos’ opening day 53-man roster.

Denver NBC affiliate KUSA-TV on Thursday announced online details it obtained of Charles’ one-year contract with the Broncos, who signed him May 2 after Charles, 30, spent nine seasons with the AFC West rival Kansas City Chiefs. NFL teams generally do not release financial details of a contract.

The $100,000 is a workout bonus that is the only guaranteed portion of Charles’ contract, KUSA reported.

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Among the other details in the article: Charles will receive a $250,000 bonus if he makes the 53-man roster; $78,125 for each time he dresses on the 46-man roster; and up to $1.25 million in performance incentives, such as reaching 1,000 all-purpose yards and the Broncos making the playoffs.

Denver won Super Bowl 50 in the 2015 season but missed the playoffs in 2016 after going 9-7.

“This is what is known as a win-win deal,” KUSA reported, reiterating the possibility of Denver only paying the workout bonus. “If Charles can stay healthy and contribute and the Broncos make the playoffs, he doesn’t have to be the superstar Jamaal Charles of 2012-14 to make $3.75 million.” Charles made the Pro Bowl each of those seasons (as well as in 2010) and was first-team All-Pro in 2013.

Charles tore his ACL in 2015 and had an operation for a meniscus tear in 2016, limiting his time on the field. The Chiefs likely saved $6.1 million in salary cap space according to Spotrac.com when they released Charles on Feb. 28.

Charles has rushed for 7,260 career yards, eighth among active players, and totaled 10,963 all-purpose yards. A previous article incorrectly mentioned Charles rushed for 10,963 yards.

I.C. Murrell: 721-2435. Twitter: @ICMurrellPANews

About I.C. Murrell

I.C. Murrell was promoted to editor of The News, effective Oct. 14, 2019. He previously served as sports editor since August 2015 and has won or shared eight first-place awards from state newspaper associations and corporations. He was born in Memphis, Tennessee, grew up mostly in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and graduated from the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

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