11:40am: Shorts’ $15,625 per game active roster bonus (totals $250K) is still intact, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. The Texans also removed the $100K workout de-escalator from the original contract.
As Wilson notes, Shorts’ anticipated $3.421MM cap figure has now been reduced to $2.371MM.
10:02am: Texans veteran wideout Cecil Shorts has taken a slight pay cut, reports ESPN’s Field Yates (via Twitter). The 28-year-old’s previous base salary was $2.7MM, but that has been reduced to $1.2MM. The inclusion of a new $500K roster bonus means Shorts is ultimately eyeing about a $1MM cut.
The former fourth-rounder’s first season in Houston was a moderate success, as the receiver compiled 42 catches for 484 yards and two touchdowns. Shorts also returned 11 punts, his first special teams action since 2011. For his efforts last season, Pro Football Focus (subscription required) ranked him 90th among 121 eligible receivers.
Before joining the Texans, Shorts spent four seasons with the Jaguars. His best season came in 2012, when he caught 55 passes for 979 yards and seven touchdowns. Following the 2014 season, Shorts joined the Texans on a two-year, $6MM deal.
According to Roster Resource, Shorts is in line to be the team’s third wide receiver, sitting behind DeAndre Hopkins and rookie Will Fuller on the depth chart.
A sign he wants to win. With Will Fuller drafted, Cecil took the smart route and took a cut to stay with a possible contender. Good move