We had the basic details of Tramon Williams’ contract with the Cleveland Browns — three years, $21 million. Now we have the all-important finite details.
It’s clear why the Packers didn’t re-sign Williams.
The Browns gave Williams $10 million guaranteed.
His base salaries are $3.7 million, $6.2 million and $5.7 million. His signing bonus was $1.5 million. Tramon will get roster bonuses of $2.3 million this year, $500,000 in 2016 and $1.3 million in 2017.
Really, that final season of the contract is the only one Williams has to worry about not being around for. The Browns could release him prior to 2017 and it would only cost them $500,000 in dead money.
The guaranteed money alone is equal to or more than what the Packers were offering for the total contract. It was reported that Tramon turned down a two-year, $8 million deal from the Packers, but that was early in the negotiating period. They certainly could have increased that offer slightly.
Whether they did or not is really moot though.
Tramon obviously couldn’t turn down an offer that was that much better, considering this is most likely his final NFL contract.
The Packers, on the other hand, weren’t interested in investing that much in a 32-year-old cornerback. And while we like Tramon, we have to agree with their stance.