NFC Contract Details: Saints, Sewell, Elliott

NFC Contract Details: Saints, Sewell, Elliott

We’re finally learning more about the personnel changes the Saints made in recent weeks. These include the signings of offensive lineman James Hurst, defensive back Will Harris, and guard Shane Lemieux, as well as the retirement of offensive lineman Justin Herron.

Both Lemieux and Herron inked deals soon after the NFL Draft. Lemieux inked a one-year contract worth the veteran minimum of $1.06 million, which will completely be deducted from his salary limit, according to Katherine Terrell of ESPN. Herron’s contract is likewise for a year, with a $1.13MM league minimum. Notably, his contract will only count $985K against the limit because of the veteran wage advantage.

Harris signed at the turn of the month earlier this week. After five years with the Lions, Terrell tells us that Harris is joining the Saints on a one-year deal worth $1.29MM with a base salary of $1.13MM and a signing bonus of $167.5K. The guaranteed amount of his deal will include the signing bonus and $324K of his base salary. Harris’ contract will count for $1.15MM against the salary cap.

Lastly, Terrell tells us that Hurst, who announced his retirement back in April, will still count against the salary cap. He will count as $2.28MM in dead money, including a $1.5MM roster bonus.

Here are details on a couple other deals reached around the NFC in recent weeks:

1. Penei Sewell’s contract extension with the Lions was previously known to us in part, but Mike Florio of NBC Sports has provided us with additional information. A fully guaranteed $42.99MM is included in the deal; this comprises a $15MM signing bonus, a $25MM option bonus in 2025, full base salaries of $1.45MM, $1.54MM, and $19.9MM from 2024 to 2026, and $12.11MM of the basic pay for 2027 (for a total of $23.9MM). After 2025, he will get $100K in fitness bonuses every offseason, and in 2029, he might receive a $2.5MM roster bonus.

2. Regarding Ezekiel Elliott’s return with the Cowboys, we already knew a little bit, but ESPN’s Todd Archer added some more information. Now that we know, the agreement calls for a signing bonus of and a base salary of $1.25 million that is fully guaranteed.
Elliott can earn an active roster bonus of $375K and will count for $2MM against the cap. He can earn an additional $1MM in incentives, all of which require a playoff berth ($250K for 1,100 scrimmage yards, $250K for 10 touchdowns, and $500K for over 50 percent of the team’s offensive snaps).

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