Sunday, April 13
Seau's tricky contract with San Diego a sticking point
By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
With a Monday deadline approaching, Miami and San Diego officials remain motivated to consummate a trade that would send 12-time Pro Bowl linebacker Junior Seau to the Dolphins, but there are still some elements that could scuttle the deal or at least delay it.
The death of Chargers general manager John Butler on Friday morning, after a year-long battle with lung cancer, certainly has made a speedy resolution of Seau's future much less of an immediate priority for San Diego officials. And a tricky contract with San Diego, one that calls for Seau to be paid a $2.7 million roster bonus by the Chargers on Tuesday, remains a considerable sticking point.
"Everyone seems to want (the trade) to happen," said a league source close to the negotiations. "Whether it does or not, at least by Monday, well, we'll just have to see."
Complicating the potential swap, in which the Dolphins would probably send the Chargers a middle- or low-round draft choice, is that Seau refuses to forego the $2.7 million roster bonus.
His existing contract calls for the bonus to be paid on April 15 if he is still on the San Diego roster at that time. Since the league business day ends at 4 p.m., the trade must be completed by Monday at that time, or Seau will still be considered property of the Chargers on Tuesday, and the team will then be liable for the roster bonus.
Clearly, the Chargers had hoped to avoid paying the bonus, but Seau has not been willing to forgive it.
One possible resolution: Seau and the Chargers could mutually agree to move back the due date for the bonus. That would provide the two teams additional time to bargain and give the Dolphins time in which to complete a new contract with Seau and agent Marvin Demoff.
Seau's current contract runs through the 2005 season and, under it, he is due $19.2 million. The contract includes base salaries of $3 million for this year, $5 million in 2004 and $5.5 million for 2005. In addition to the $2.7 million bonus due Tuesday, there are bonuses of $1.5 million each in '04 and '05.
Demoff and Miami officials have discussed a restructured contract that would be worth less than the $19.2 million but which would still allow Seau to remain one of the NFL's highest paid linebackers.
If the trade is not completed by Monday afternoon, San Diego might keep Seau on the roster until after June 1 and then release him, basically to lessen the impact on its 2003 salary cap.
Beyond the financial ramifications, the death of Butler has left the Chargers franchise without its top personnel official, and at least temporarily diverted the focus of the high-ranking management away from most football matters. Butler was party to the decision last month that allowed Seau, certainly the most recognizable team figure in recent years, to seek out trade possibilities.
Seau, 34, has been a mainstay of the San Diego defense, although injuries and age have made him less an impact player in recent seasons. Over the last five years, with Seau often hindered by ankle injuries, he averaged less than six "big plays" per season, and his tackle totals have dropped.
Last season, Seau registered 84 tackles, a career low.
Despite his decline, the Dolphins feel Seau would upgrade their defense and, almost as important, would be a key locker room presence.
Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.
