On Friday, the Raiders signed former 49ers’ outside linebacker, Aldon Smith, to a one-year contract worth up to $8 million. Because of Smith’s legal issues, the deal is largely contingent on roster bonuses ($250,000 per game) and incentives.
While the Raiders would love to pay Smith the full $8 million (that would mean 16 games, 10+ sacks), the most important detail of his deal could be what isn’t included. According to a source familiar with the deal, there is no provision in Smith’s contract prohibiting the Raiders from using the franchise tag on him after the season – an option the Cowboys weren’t given in Greg Hardy’s one-year deal.
Assuming Smith can avoid more problems off the field and return to All-Pro form, the Raiders project to have more than enough cap space to ensure he’ll return to the team in 2016.
Defensive end was the second most expensive franchise tag ($14.8M) in 2015, but considering Smith’s career could be over with another poor decision, the Raiders may consider the short term commitment (albeit expensive) a better option.
