Broncos defensive tackle Clinton McDonald accepted a pay cut of $3MM for 2018, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. However, he can earn that back via $2MM in base salary and a $1MM roster bonus by being on the 53-man roster ($140,625/game) and 46-man roster ($46,875/game) for the full season. 
The Broncos’ likely requested the pay cut because of the shoulder injury that has kept the veteran from participating in OTAs. Per the terms of his free agent deal with Denver, McDonald had to pass a physical on or before June 11 in order to guarantee his $4MM salary for 2018. Because he was unable to get the medical greenlight, he is guaranteed just $1MM this year.
McDonald, 31, split time with Chris Baker in Tampa last year and recorded five sacks with 18 tackles. The sack total is impressive, though the advanced analytics at Pro Football Focus were not high on him.
The Broncos project to start Domata Peko in the middle with McDonald and Zach Kerr and/or Kyle Peko in support. DeShawn Williams, who signed a futures deal with the club in January, will also fight to make the final cut, but his path to the 53-man roster may be challenging unless McDonald is unable to play up to par this summer.