The Seattle Seahawks have put incentives in running back Eddie Lacy’s contract which could pay Lacy nearly half a million dollars for losing weight.
There are several incentives in Eddie Lacy’s one-year, $3 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks. The fifth-year running back, who has amassed over 4,300 yards from scrimmage and 29 touchdowns in 51 career games for the Green Bay Packers, could make up to $5.5 million in the 2017-18 season, partially dependent on how Lacy manages his weight.
Lacy’s weight has been a matter of public conversation since Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy criticized Lacy for it in 2015. Lacy also gained some notoriety because of his Twitter activity, which often featured the cuisine Lacy was dining upon. The majority of that is what Lacy affectionately referred to as “China Food.”
In order to make the Seahawks’ investment in Lacy worthwhile, Seattle has given him some extra motivation.
Eddie Lacy's weight incentives breakdown ($55k for each month achieved)
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 16, 2017
May: 255 lbs
June & August: 250 lbs
September-December: 245 lbs
On top of being beneficial for Lacy’s general health, showing that he can reach goals set for him by teams would greatly aid Lacy’s future in the National Football League. As it stands right now, Lacy only has a job with a NFL team through the end of the 2017-18 season.
If he intends to extend his career past that point, demonstrating his commitment to not only being in prime physical condition but being a player who meets the demands of the team paying him would behoove that interest.
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The Seahawks have taken a low-risk approach to give Lacy a second chance to prove that his football career is worth the discipline it requires to him. If he fails to reach the goals set for him by Seattle, it could end up costing him much more than just this year’s $440,000 in incentives for weight loss. It could mean the end of his career.