Brandon Meriweather Contract Details

EAST RUTHERFORD ‐ Safety Brandon Meriweather came to the Giants with no strings attached. The veteran wasn't guaranteed a single dollar when he was signed earlier this week. 

Meriweather's deal with the Giants is for one year and the veteran minimum of $870,000 with no guaranteed money, according to a person familiar with the contract. The individual requested anonymity because terms of the deal were not officially disclosed by the team. 

Meriweather, a two-time Pro Bowl safety, did not receive a signing bonus or any guarantees. It's a completely risk-free move for the Giants, who were short on players at the position because of injuries to rookies Landon Collins and Mykkele Thompson. 

The deal with Meriweather is considered a "minimum salary benefit" signing. That means even though he would make $870K if he's on the roster for the regular season, he will only count $585K against the salary cap. The "minimum salary benefit" was designed to make low-level veterans more attractive to teams.

Meriweather did receive a split deal that protects him (to some degree) in case of injury. 

The details of the contract show where the Giants stand on Meriweather. He's a wait-and-see proposition who is by no means guaranteed a spot on the roster, despite sprinkling in with the first-team defense after two days. 

Even wide receiver James Jones, signed several weeks back, received some kind of guarantee from the Giants. He pocketed a $30K signing bonus and has another $50K due if he makes the 53-man roster. 

Meriweather simply received an opportunity to impress the Giants, free of charge, for the summer.  


(nj.com)