PFT: Eagles cut Babin | Where will he land?

AP

At a time when few young players are signing long-term deals, 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman has decided to take the money and run ? before he can?t run anymore.

Per a league source, the deal that Bowman accepted includes less than $8 million in fully-guaranteed money, via a $7.5 million signing bonus and the balance of his $540,000 base salary for 2012.? But the deal contains millions more in salary guaranteed for injury only, for now.

In 2013, a $4 million option bonus is due to Bowman; it?s fully guaranteed for now.? Ditto for Bowman?s $630,000 base salary in 2013.? The salary becomes fully guaranteed at the start of the 2013 league year.

In 2014, Bowman has a $4 million base salary, which is guaranted for injury, for now.? It becomes fully guaranteed at the start of the 2014 league year.? He also can earn per-game active roster bonuses that total, if all earned, $750,000.

In 2015, Bowman?s base salary is $4.7 million.? Again, it?s guaranteed for now for injury only.? It becomes fully guaranteed at the start of the 2015 league year.? Bowman also has the per-game roster bonuses that total $750,000.

In 2016, the base salary is $5.85 million.? $4.17 million of it is guaranteed for injury only for now; it becomes fully guaranteed at the start of the 2016 league year.? Bowman once again has the per-game roster bonuses that total $750,000.

In 2017, Bowman?s base salary is $6.75 million, non-guaranteed, with the per-game roster bonuses that total $750,000.

In 2018, the salary pushes to $8.7 million, with the per-game roster bonuses that total $750,000.

Given the free-agent market for linebackers (it?s nearly as soft as the veteran running back market) and the ever-present injury risk for a young player making minimum salaries, it makes sense for Bowman to take an offer that, in reality, he couldn?t have refused.

Source: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/11/27/eagles-cut-jason-babin/related/

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