After signing a four-year extension worth $17MM in February of last year, Washington cornerback DeAngelo Hall played in only three games before tearing his Achilles and being placed on injured reserve. He later re-tore the Achilles in October, leaving his future even further in doubt. With that in mind, Hall agreed to a contract restructure that will eliminate his 2015 salary guarantees, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com.
The 31-year-old Hall was set to earn a base salary of $4MM next season. Per Yates, $1MM of that salary was scheduled to become guaranteed on February 15. At some point before that date, Hall agreed to tweak his contact so that the entire $4MM salary is non-guaranteed. If he makes the roster, Hall will make the same amount he was originally due. But as Mike Jones of the Washington Post tweets, the move gives Washington some financial flexibility if Hall isn’t back to full form when training camp arrives. It’s just my speculation, but I would guess the club told Hall he would be released had he not agreed to this move.
Hall will compete will young Washington defensive backs David Amerson and Bashaud Breeland for playing time in 2015. As Yates writes, the team is expected to target secondary help in both free agency and the draft.