The NFL has various rules related to gambling and the league just hit five players with big suspensions for violating the NFL gambling policies. WR’s Jameson Williams and Stanley Berryhill of the Lions have been suspended for six games while S CJ Moore and WR Quintez Cephus of the Lions and pass rusher Shaka Toney of the Commanders have all been suspended for the season. The Lions subsequently released Moore and Cephus.

For Williams the suspension is a costly one. He will forfeit $382,906 in salary and could be subject to bonus forfeiture of $862,179 if the Lions have the ability to recover any bonus money due to the suspension. Williams will also have his remaining salary guarantees void. Those total $6,877,308 of which $5,378,590 are attributed to the 2024 and 2025 seasons when his status could be more in danger with the team. Berryhill’s suspension will result in a loss of $290,000 if he makes the Lions roster. The salary cap savings will be reflected at the start of the regular season for the Lions.

Moore’s suspension is also costly. He signed a two year, $4.5 million contract with $3 million in guarantees back in March. His guarantees will all void out and the only thing that could be a consideration for Detroit is whatever they paid out of his $1.4 million signing bonus. Moore should be subject to full bonus forfeiture since this gambling predated signing the contract, but if any was paid it may be a process to get it back. My feeling is that the Lions will have a $700,000 cap charge for him in 2023 with a credit coming in 2024 but it may be $0 if no money exchanged hands.

Cephus was in the final year of his contract and was set to earn $1.01 million. His salary was not guaranteed. He will leave the Lions with $76,073 in dead money. Shaka Toney will lose his $940,000 salary for the year and should now have his contract toll to 2025 rather than becoming a free agent that year, assuming the Commanders do not release him. His cap savings will be realized immediately. All three players will have to apply for reinstatement next season.