Breaking Down Adrian Clayborn's Contract with the Atlanta Falcons

The Structure

Adrian Clayborn signed a two-year, $8.5 million deal with incentives that could make it worth nearly $14 million. It's structured with a $2.5 million signing bonus and base salaries during the deal of $1.75 million in 2016 and $3.75 million in 2017. He also has a roster bonus in 2017 of $500,000. His incentives are primarily based on pass rushing production for this, a.k.a. sacking the quarterback.

The Impact

Clayborn's deal is minimal, to be honest. This year, he's only going to take up two percent of the cap with his $3 million cap hit. Next year, unless he hits his incentives, his cap hit should only be around $5.5 million, or four percent of the expected cap. Clayborn should easily be worth it based on his role last year. With Kroy Biermann not looking like he's coming back this season, Clayborn should see some of Biermann's snaps in the base defense, too.

What the contract represents

It's structured to reward Clayborn for a fine 2015, while at the same time making him earn incentives to see his maximum payout. Clayborn worked hard and should easily see the first $4.25 million of the deal with no problems. However, much like Joe Hawley in 2014, this deal could wind up being a simple one-year rental. Should Clayborn post up six-plus sacks this season, he'll definitely see the second year of it and should look for an increased role throughout the contract.