The Packers cut A.J. Hawk before re-signing him, in part to avoid a $10 million option payment that was in his last contract.
It turns out he got almost that much to sign on the dotted line when he re-joined the team.
Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette reports and PFT has confirmed that Hawk received an $8 million signing bonus when he inked the deal. Including a $1.8 million roster bonus and $1.15 million base salary, Hawk will earn $10.95 million in 2011.
He is set to earn $21.35 million over the first three years of the deal and $33.75 million over the entire five year deal. He is set to make $4.95 million in total pay in 2012, with $4.4 million in base salary, $300,000 in a roster bonus and $250,000 in a workout bonus.
In 2013, he’ll make $5.45 million. That includes $4.9 million in base salary, a $300,000 roster bonus and a $250,000 workout bonus.
In 2014, he’ll make $5.95 million. That includes $4.9 million in base salary, an $800,000 roster bonus and a $250,000 workout bonus.
In 2015, he’ll make $6.45 million. That includes $5.4 million in base salary, an $800,000 roster bonus and a $250,000 workout bonus.
Hawk could be vulnerable to being released after 2013 depending on his play. His cap number that year will be $7.55 million, and the team would only take a $3.2 cap hit to release him.
A league source tells PFT that Hawk’s cap numbers are as follows: 2011: $4.55 million, 2012: $6.55 million, 2013: $7.05 million, 2014: $7.55 million, 2015: $8.05 million.
The Packers said they valued Hawk’s contributions highly, and they proved it with this deal. He will be one of the most highly paid inside linebackers in football.
