Financial Ramifications for the 5 Suspended NFL Players

Michael Ginnitti
Michael Ginnitti, Managing Editor & NFL/MLB ExpertApril 21, 2023
© USA TODAY Sports

S C.J. Moore

Signed a 2 year, $4.5M contract this past March that included $2.5M fully guaranteed at signing (a $1.4M signing bonus + $1.1M 2023 base salary). If his indefinite suspension of at least 1 year is upheld, and the Lions decide to keep him rostered, Moore’s contract will toll to 2024-2025, and the $1.1M salary guarantee will void. If the Lions decide to move on, it’s extremely likely that they’ll push to have his signing bonus repaid, and they’ll receive a full cap credit for his $1.8M cap hit this season. Moore was going to compete for a depth role at the safety position this summer, so it’s a toss-up if Detroit will keep him on the books through this suspension.
UPDATE: The Lions have released Moore and will certainly look to recoup his $1.4M signing bonus immediately.

WR Quintez Cephus

Was entering the final year of his rookie contract in Detroit, set to earn a non-guaranteed $1.01M. If his indefinite suspension of at least 1 year and the Lions decide to keep him around, his salary will toll to 2024. The Lions can push to recoup $76,072 of his signing bonus (the 2023 proration), and gain a cap credit for that after the 2023 season. Cephus was projecting as a Top 6 WR for the Lions in 2023, so there’s a chance he’s kept on the books for a chance to compete in 2024. 
UPDATE: The Lions have released Cephus.

DE Shaka Toney

Was entering Year 3 of his rookie contract with the Commanders, set to earn a non-guaranteed $940,000. If his indefinite suspension of at least 1 year is upheld, and the Commanders decide to keep him rostered, his 2023 & 2024 salaries will toll to 2024 & 2025. Washington can push to recoup $23,238 of his signing bonus (the 2023 proration), and gain a cap credit for that after the 2023 season. Currently 6th on the depth chart among Washington DEs, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Commanders move on quickly here.

WR Jameson Williams

Missed 11 weeks of 2022 due to injury, and is now expected to miss 6 more of 2023 due to his involvement in this gambling violation. The 22 year old was set to earn a fully guaranteed $1.5M this season, with another 2 years, $5.3M plus a 5th year option in 2026 still remaining on his rookie deal. Williams will forfeit just under $500,000 for the 6 weeks missed in 2023. Furthermore, the salary guarantee on his remaining $6.87M will now void. The Lions may also look to recoup $823,290 of his signing bonus (6 weeks of his 2023 proration) per this suspension.

WR Stanley Berryhill

Signed a 1 year, $870,000 non-guaranteed reserve/future contract to remain in Detroit this past January. He was a depth piece and a training camp body heading into the summer, but will now likely be moved on from with a 6-game suspension attached to his 2023 season. If he sticks around, he’ll forfeit $290,000 in salary for the time missed.


Top