http://howardbalzer.lockerdome.com/articles/107188777
Balzer: Darian Stewart Signs for Less Than Tender
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
By: Howard Balzer
There were some raised eyebrows when Rams safety Darian Stewart was tendered as a restricted free agent at the beginning of the league year. The tender, $1.323 million, counted against the salary cap.
When Stewart signed on April 3, it was believed he had signed his tender. It turns out Stewart agreed to sign a deal for less money than the tender, apparently in exchange for guaranteed money in the form of a $300,000 signing bonus. His base salary is $700,000 and the deal includes $75,000 of incentives for interceptions, playing time and playoffs.
Stewart counts $1 million against the cap instead of $1.323 million.
While it was reported last week that the Rams had just over $500,000 in cap space, the current figure, according to NFLPA documents, is $829,053.
The Rams have yet to report the contract of guard/tackle Chris Williams, who agreed to terms last week.