:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63252044/630769596.jpg.0.jpg)
When the Pittsburgh Steelers announced they had re-signed defensive lineman Daniel McCullers on Thursday, there were some who questioned the logic of tying up valuable salary cap space in a reserve player so early in free agency. But in light of the contract numbers revealed on Friday, it would appear those concerns were somewhat unfounded.
As per the figures published by Steelers salary cap specialist Ian Whetstone and Houston Chronicle reporter Aaron Wilson, McCullers will earn base salaries of $1 million in 2019 and $1.5 million in 2020. He will also receive a sign bonus worth $250,000 as part of a deal worth a total of $2.75 million.
The two-year contract for Steelers' backup defensive lineman Daniel McCullers consists of a $250,000 signing bonus and salaries of $1M this year and $1.5M next year. It's pretty thin, even as two-year, $2.75M contracts go.
— Ian Whetstone (@IanWhetstone) March 15, 2019
Daniel McCullers (Steelers) $2.75M; $250K signing bonus, salaries $1M, $1.5M
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 15, 2019
After displacement, this deal will only have used up $630,000 in salary cap space this season and the relatively small signing bonus offers the defensive lineman few guarantees for the upcoming season, let alone 2020.
2019
- Base salary - $1 million
- Prorated signing bonus - $125,000
- Salary cap charge - $1.125 million
2020
- Base salary - $1.5 million
- Prorated signing bonus - $125,000
- Salary cap hit - $1.625 million
Since joining the Steelers as a sixth-round draft pick in 2014, McCullers has been credited with 33 tackes and 2.5 sacks. And while it would be fair to say the former Tennessee product was rather underwhelming in his early years with the team, he appeared to have made some improvements to his game in 2018.