Sources: Broncos DT Clinton McDonald took a paycut of $3M for 2018. He can earn back the $2M in base salary and $1M roster bonus by being on the 53-man roster ($140,625/game) and 46-man roster ($46,875/game). Likely tied to his shoulder issue that has kept him out of OTAs.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) June 12, 2018
Beyond the fold, observe the difference in McDonald’s 2018 contract year before and after this renegotiation.
| Status | Base Salary | Physical Roster Bonus | 53 Player Per Game Roster Bonus | Active Per Game Roster Bonus | Cap Number | Dead Money* | Cap Savings* |
| Before | $3,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $0 | $0 | $4,000,000 | $4,000,000 | $0 |
| After | $1,000,000 | $0 | $2,250,000 | $750,000 | $3,906,250 | $500,000 | $3,406,250 |
italics indicate fully guaranteed money
*Figures represent what happens if McDonald fails to make the initial 53 player roster.
As Yates describes, McDonald’s purported $4 million in 2018 was guaranteed only if he passed a physical before the start of minicamp. Instead of parting ways, the two sides were able to negotiate a compromise in which McDonald’s roster bonus payable upon passing a physical becomes his new base salary, while his old base salary becomes two types of non guaranteed per game roster bonuses.
Because McDonald was inactive for two games in 2017, the Broncos will receive a very modest 2018 salary cap gain of $93,750, the only amount of the per gamers considered Not Likely To Be Earned. Should McDonald fail to earn any of the Likely To Be Earned per gamers, those amounts will be credited to the Broncos’ 2019 cap. Should McDonald be active for 15 or all 16 games, all or half of that $93,750 will be charged against the 2019 cap.
Should McDonald be cut before Week 10, the Broncos will become eligible for a 7th round compensatory pick for Corey Nelson. However, it would be unlikely that this pick would make the 32-pick limit. Faint comp pick hopes would only get better if Brock Osweiler somehow starts almost all of the season for the Dolphins, or the belief that Donald Stephenson won’t qualify for the formula is mistaken.