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The terms of Andrew Gardner's three-year contract extension with the Philadelphia Eagles have been revealed, and it's a very team-friendly agreement. Gardner's deal has a base value $4.7 million, but the signing bonus is only $500,000.
In other words, Gardner isn't guaranteed very much. He's going to have to play well to earn his money. The Eagles certainly won't have a problem paying him if he plays well. If Gardner struggles, the team won't have a hard time moving on from him.
Here are some more reactions to the deal:
"@Jeff_McLane: Yup. Not much guaranteed at all. Pretty much a show-me contract. https://t.co/KVbbCKAd2j" why would agent do this deal.AWFUL
— Joe Banner (@JoeBanner13) September 9, 2015
Avoids downside of paying as a solid starter in FA in 2016. If like Barbre, locks in backup $ and is cheap to cut. https://t.co/BF12hcojYo
— Sam Lynch (@shlynch) September 9, 2015
Peanuts. Low downside if he loses his job for any reason. https://t.co/4puVXiGuxj
— Sam Lynch (@shlynch) September 9, 2015
If Gardner played well this year and the Eagles waited to pay him as a free agent, his contract would have been more expensive. Instead, the team was able to lock him now at a very team-friendly rate.
In limited playing time, Gardner has shown that he's at least a serviceable starter for Philadelphia. If he continues to play well, he'll be rewarded. If not, he'll be gone.