GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Nick Perry's contract -- a five-year, $60 million deal that includes a $18.5 million signing bonus -- might look like a monster for a player who in reality had one big season.
But the reality is it’s the kind of pay-as-you-go deal the Green Bay Packers like, and they could get out of it after two years without taking a cap hit.
For now, however, Perry’s $20.8 million in first-year pay makes him the team’s highest-paid player for 2017. Aaron Rodgers, at $13.65 million, ranks second followed by Clay Matthews at $11.1 million.
But in terms of salary-cap commitment, Perry will count less than $6 million for this season, which ranks ninth on the team.
After the 2018 season, the Packers could move on from Perry and actually gain salary-cap space. The 2019 season is when Perry’s base salary makes a significant jump.
Here’s a year-by-year breakdown of the contract:
2017
Cash value: $20.8 million
Salary-cap charge: $5.855 million
Signing bonus: $18.5 million
Weekly roster bonus: Up to $600,000 ($37,500 per game active)
Workout bonus: $400,000
Base salary: $1.3 million
2018
Cash value: $7.2 million
Salary-cap charge: $10.9 million
Roster bonus: $4.3 million due the third day of the league year
Weekly roster bonus: Up to $600,000 ($37,500 per game active)
Workout bonus: $400,000
Base salary: $1.9 million
2019
Cash value: $11 million
Salary-cap charge: $14.7 million
Roster bonus: $4.8 million due the third day of the league year
Weekly roster bonus: Up to $600,000 ($37,500 per game active)
Workout bonus: $400,000
Base salary: $5.2 million
2020
Cash value: $10.6 million
Salary-cap charge: $14.3 million
Weekly roster bonus: Up to $600,000 ($37,500 per game active)
Workout bonus: $400,000
Base salary: $9.6 million
2021
Cash value: $10.4 million
Salary-cap charge: $14.1 million
Weekly roster bonus: Up to $600,000 ($37,500 per game active)
Workout bonus: $400,000
Base salary: $9.4 million
Note: Perry also has a $250,000 Pro Bowl bonus each year from 2018-2021. There is no bonus for making the Pro Bowl in 2017.