5 most controversial NFL contract clauses of all time ft. Kyler Murray's homework clause
The most important part of NFL contracts is the financial structure. A player's overall income from a particular contract is calculated in a variety of ways. This includes their base salary, signing bonus, other bonuses, and incentives. While the distribution may be fairly complex, most NFL contracts have a fairly similar structure.
Then there are the outliers. Several contracts in NFL history have stood out as unique from the rest of the field. Sometimes particular clauses or other wordage may be controversial, confusing, or just strange.
Here are the most controversial NFL contract clauses of all time:
#5 - Rick Mirer, Seattle Seahawks
Rick Mirer ultimately went down as a draft day bust for the Seattle Seahawks. He was selected with the second overall pick in the 1993 NFL Draft. Mirer managed a 20-31 record with 41 touchdowns and 56 interceptions during his four years with the team.
Mirer signed his first contract with the Seahawks during a transitional time in the NFL, as the salary cap was a relatively new concept. Some were skeptical of the way it would work. Mirer and his agent wanted to make sure they covered all angles of the guaranteed money. They even added a clause stating that the contract would be guaranteed up to and including the end of the world.
#4 - Eddie Lacy, Seattle Seahawks
Eddie Lacy began his career with the Green Bay Packers, where he found some success early on. He was selected as the Offensive Rookie of the Year and eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards in consecutive seasons. His production drastically dropped off after that, with his weight and fitness becoming a major concern.
Obligatory Eddie Lacy vs. AJ Dillon training camp pics. https://t.co/mXC7mHTEKW
Lacy became a free agent during the 2017 NFL offseason and the Seattle Seahawks offered him a contract. They were also concerned about his weight, so they structured the deal to provide financial incentives for reaching certain weight goals. This is a common tactic used for linemen, but requiring it from a running back should be a red flag.