Chiefs Wage Cap: Contract reveals increased cap hit for Marquise Brown

On Tuesday, Sports activities Illustrated’s Albert Breer launched the contract particulars for the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ newly signed extensive receiver, Marquise “Hollywood” Brown.

The preliminary studies from his signing indicated that Brown’s one-year contract would pay him $7 million for the approaching season — and permit him to earn as much as $4 million in incentives.

These figures have been right. However in most contracts negotiated by Kansas Metropolis common supervisor Brett Veach, incentives are typically categorised as not-likely-to-be-earned (NLTBE) — which implies that if earned, they are going to depend in opposition to the next season’s wage cap.

Because of this, many assumed that Brown’s 2024 cap hit could be near $7 million. Nevertheless, Breer’s report states the cap hit will probably be nearer to $8.2 million.

The deal begins with a $3 million signing bonus. Brown’s base wage is $3.5 million, which brings the beginning cap determine to $6.5 million. Brown’s $250,000 exercise bonus may also depend in opposition to the cap.

Then Brown can earn bonuses for his enjoying time — that’s, his share of offensive snap counts. He was on the sector for 69% of the Arizona Cardinals’ performs in 2023, so $750,000 of a possible $1.5 million incentive is assessed as likely-to-be-earned (LTBE) and will probably be charged in opposition to the 2024 cap.

One other incentive of as much as $1.5 million is predicated on his receiving yardage. With 574 yards for Arizona final season, solely the bottom threshold ($500,000 for 500 yards) will probably be LTBE in 2024.

Then Brown is slated to obtain a complete of $250,000 in per-game roster bonuses. In a 17-game season, these will quantity to $14,706 for every sport. Since Brown appeared in 14 2023 video games, about $206,000 (14 instances $14,706) of those per-game bonuses will probably be LTBE.

Lastly, Brown can earn a $500,000 bonus if he scores 5 touchdowns — plus one other $250,000 for each the sixth and seventh touchdowns. However since he solely scored 4 in Arizona final season, these are NLTBE incentives that can solely depend in 2025.

All of that provides as much as an $8.2 million cap hit for the approaching season. We now estimate that with 71 gamers underneath contract — and together with all identified transactions — the Chiefs presently have $7.7 million in cap area.