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Breakdown of TE Darren Fells’ contract with the Browns

The blocking tight end didn’t come at too bad of a price.

NFL: Carolina Panthers at Detroit Lions Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

The full, year-by-year contract details for Cleveland Browns TE Darren Fells, including his base salary, guaranteed money, and cap hits, are now available. Fells’ deal is considered to be 3 years for $12 million with $4.65 million fully guaranteed.

Breakdown of TE Darren Fells’ contract with the Browns

Year Base Salary Signing Bonus Roster Bonus Workout Bonus Total Cap Hit
Year Base Salary Signing Bonus Roster Bonus Workout Bonus Total Cap Hit
2018 $1,150,000 $700,000 $1,650,000 $100,000 $3,600,000
2019 $2,650,000 $700,000 $250,000 $100,000 $3,700,000
2020 $3,650,000 $700,000 $250,000 $100,000 $4,700,000
Total $7,450,000 $2,100,000 $2,150,000 $300,000 $12,000,000
  • Fells has $4.65 million in full guarantees, which consists of his $1.15 million base salary in 2018, his $2.1 million signing bonus that is pro-rated to $700,000 million per year, and a $1.4 million roster bonus that is due on March 20, 2018.
  • Per Aaron Wilson, in 2019, if Fells is still on the roster by the third day of the league year, then $1.5 million of his $2.65 million base salary for that season will become fully guaranteed (note: before the third day of that league year, the $1.5 million is guaranteed for injury).
  • For every game that Fells is active with the Browns, he will earn a $15,625 roster bonus, up to $250,000 per year for the life of the contract.

In terms of average per year ($4 million), Fells is the 25th-highest paid tight end in the NFL. If Cleveland wants to cut him after this season, they would carry a dead cap hit of $1.4 million in 2019.