NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement

Article 7
Rookie Compensation and Rookie Compensation Pool

Section 3(i)(i)
Rookie Contracts

(i)(i)

A player’s Rookie Salary, as well as all other mandatory or permissible contract terms (including, but not limited to, length of the contract and Salary guarantees), may not change based upon any contingency (e.g., without limitation, roster condition, offseason workout participation, playtime, honors, team or individual performance, the player’s earning or not earning specific compensation, or the Club’s decision to forgo the exercise of any contract rights). By way of example, if the player fails to earn a $100,000 incentive applicable to the second year of his contract, the unearned amount cannot be added to a $100,000 incentive applicable to the third year of his contract, thereby resulting in a $200,000 incentive.