NFL rumors: Arizona Cardinals look to keep portion of Daryl Washington’s $10M bonus
The past week has not been a great one for Arizona Cardinals linebacker Daryl Washington. After violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy by smoking marijuana, Washington was suspended for the entire 2014 season.
To make matters worse, Washington may not be getting all of his $10 million option bonus from the Cardinals as well:
Source says Cardinals have not yet paid suspended LB Daryl Washington any of his $10M option bonus; team likely to seek to keep some portion
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) June 2, 2014
According toPro Football Talk, Washington earned his bonus earlier this year and was supposed to get the first half, $5 million, as the second half was deferred to next year.
According to Ed Werder of ESPN, Washington has not been paid any of his bonus yet, and the team is looking for a way to keep a portion of the bonus from Washington.
Due to Washington’s suspension, the Cardinals can recover $2.5 million of his bonus. If Washington is never reinstated back into the NFL, the Cardinals will keep all of the bonus. Since Washington has not been paid a dime yet, the process is easier for the Cardinals.
Washington still has the chance to earn the $2.5 million back if he plays out the remainder of his contract. With the one year suspension, his contract is essentially moved back one year. That means Washington is signed with the Cardinals through 2018.
It is a tough task to believe that Washington will be able to stay with the Cardinals for four more years, but if he is able to stop smoking marijuana, he may be able to get his money back after all.