Kerryon Johnson has a new contract. After the Eagles claimed him off of waivers, the former Lions running back agreed to a pay cut (via Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports). 
Johnson was set to earn about $1.4MM in the final year of his rookie contract. Now, with the restructure, he’ll make the veteran’s minimum of $920K. Meanwhile, the Eagles have an extra $446K to work with this year. His deal includes $0 in guaranteed cash, so there’s no risk involved for the Birds.
Johnson showed some promise as a rookie, averaging 5.4 yards per tote in 2018 and scoring four touchdowns in ten games. However, knee injuries sidetracked him from that point forward. In 2019, he hit the IR twice. Johnson didn’t miss time last year, but he lost ground to D’Andre Swift and Adrian Peterson.
Now, Johnson will be tasked with finding a spot in a crowded RB room. That means practicing/competing with the likes of Miles Sanders, Boston Scott, Jordan Howard, and Kenny Gainwell. The Eagles should be fairly set in the backfield, especially with the former second-round pick in the fold. They’ve also got a little bit of cash to upgrade elsewhere — about $8.3MM, per the NFLPA’s records.
I don’t understand Johnson’s incentive to take a pay cut that is non-guaranteed
He could have refused the pay cut in which case Eagles would have cut him again. Then he would either be claimed again ( with the claiming team most likely telling him to take pay cut) or become a free agent. As a free agent he would not have gotten much better deal than minimum $ non- guaranteed type contract. Guess he figures that eagles have some interest so he has a chance to stick
Good points, and maybe some recruiting promises were extended. He’s looking for an opportunity where he can resurrect things as opposed to spinning the wheel again and hoping he gets claimed by somebody with a bigger need/role waiting for him.
KEEP CALM & KERRYON!
nice.. I was going to try and work “kerryon my wayward son” into the discussion but yours is much better.