Tim Tebow first round draft pick by the Denver Broncos

Getting down to brass tacks of Tebow deal


The contract details on Broncos rookie quarterback Tim Tebow show that his five-year deal is worth $9,713,500, not the $11.25 million the industry reports, according to a union source.

The difference is a one-time playing time bonus of $1,537,500 that the players association counts because it's "easy to earn." Almost all first-rounders hit the one-time playing bonus, but Jarvis Moss and Brady Quinn from the 2007 draft are among those who have yet to hit their one-timers. Tebow will be well on his way to his first NFL million on Friday, when the Broncos pay him a $975,000 advance, which essentially will be counted as a signing bonus for prorated salary cap reasons. Some details on the Tebow deal:
Base salary

2010: $1,295,000 (fully guaranteed)

2011: $1,618,750 (fully guaranteed)

2012: $1,942,500 (fully guaranteed)

2013: $2,266,750 (fully guaranteed)

2014: $2,590,500 ($567,500 guaranteed)
First payday Friday

Advance-signing bonus:

$975,000 on Friday (salary reduced to $325,000)

$6.275 million due 29 days after start of 2011 league year. Typically season starts March 1, but it's written this way in case work stoppage delays start of season. (Salaries from 2011-14 reduced to offset advance.)
Put me in, coach

One-time playing time bonus: (contractually considered likely to be earned)

Tebow collects $1,537,500 if he plays 35 percent of the offensive snaps in 2010, or 45 percent of the snaps in any of the seasons 2011-14.

The bonus rolls over from year to year until Tebow reaches the playing-time threshold, and expires the first time he hits it.
High thresholds

Mid-tier incentives: (contractually considered unlikely to earn)

Value of Tebow's contract doubles from $11.25 million (including one-time playing time bonus) to $22.5 million if he reaches multiple thresholds, including:

55 percent playing

Which quarterback do you wish to see take the majority of snaps as the starter this year for the Denver Broncos?
Kyle Orton: The incumbent will flourish in his second season under coach Josh McDaniels.
Brady Quinn: Given a second chance in a new system, his vast potential will be realized.
Tim Tebow: Why wait? He has proven himself a winner at the highest levels of college ball.
time in two of his first three seasons, 2010-12, or 70 percent playing time in 2013.

The Broncos make the playoffs, he reaches certain QB ranking thresholds, and receives unspecified honors.
Playoffs, honors equal bigger check

Max value: (contractually considered unlikely to earn)

The total value of Tebow's contract can escalate to $33 million if the Broncos reach the playoffs multiple times in his first four years, he has multiple top-five QB rankings, and he has multiple league honors such as NFL MVP and Super Bowl MVP.