| Benson, the fourth pick in the 2005 draft, has earned substantially less money than has been previously reported. His contract has always been said to contain $16 million in guaranteed money, which is accurate, but Benson has yet to activate $3.46 million of that in the form of two $1.73 million bonuses that were considered to be easily attainable. They could be achieved in a myriad of ways with minimum performance levels and play-time figures. But running behind Thomas Jones for two seasons, and now out for the remainder of the year and facing a long rehabilitation, it could wind up being money he never realizes.
From a team standpoint, it should clear up a little salary-cap space moving forward. For Benson, it’s motivation to push him through rehabilitation with one bonus at $1.73 million hanging in the balance for 2008. While Benson has reaped a fortune at $13.8 million through this season, it doesn’t approach the misspent figures that have come out. |