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Nick Perry's contract with Packers not as monstrous as it seems

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Nick Perry's contract -- a five-year, $60 million deal that includes a $18.5 million signing bonus -- might look like a monster for a player who in reality had one big season.

But the reality is it’s the kind of pay-as-you-go deal the Green Bay Packers like, and they could get out of it after two years without taking a cap hit.

For now, however, Perry’s $20.8 million in first-year pay makes him the team’s highest-paid player for 2017. Aaron Rodgers, at $13.65 million, ranks second followed by Clay Matthews at $11.1 million.

But in terms of salary-cap commitment, Perry will count less than $6 million for this season, which ranks ninth on the team.

After the 2018 season, the Packers could move on from Perry and actually gain salary-cap space. The 2019 season is when Perry’s base salary makes a significant jump.

Here’s a year-by-year breakdown of the contract:

2017

  • Cash value: $20.8 million

  • Salary-cap charge: $5.855 million

  • Signing bonus: $18.5 million

  • Weekly roster bonus: Up to $600,000 ($37,500 per game active)

  • Workout bonus: $400,000

  • Base salary: $1.3 million

2018

  • Cash value: $7.2 million

  • Salary-cap charge: $10.9 million

  • Roster bonus: $4.3 million due the third day of the league year

  • Weekly roster bonus: Up to $600,000 ($37,500 per game active)

  • Workout bonus: $400,000

  • Base salary: $1.9 million

2019

  • Cash value: $11 million

  • Salary-cap charge: $14.7 million

  • Roster bonus: $4.8 million due the third day of the league year

  • Weekly roster bonus: Up to $600,000 ($37,500 per game active)

  • Workout bonus: $400,000

  • Base salary: $5.2 million

2020

  • Cash value: $10.6 million

  • Salary-cap charge: $14.3 million

  • Weekly roster bonus: Up to $600,000 ($37,500 per game active)

  • Workout bonus: $400,000

  • Base salary: $9.6 million

2021

  • Cash value: $10.4 million

  • Salary-cap charge: $14.1 million

  • Weekly roster bonus: Up to $600,000 ($37,500 per game active)

  • Workout bonus: $400,000

  • Base salary: $9.4 million

Note: Perry also has a $250,000 Pro Bowl bonus each year from 2018-2021. There is no bonus for making the Pro Bowl in 2017.