Last month, we broke down the contracts for cornerback D.J. Reed and linebacker Derrick Barnes, pointing out a relatively new strategy the Detroit Lions are implementing: option bonuses.
In short, option bonuses are decisions that teams make by a certain date to keep the player on the team (exercise the option bonus) or cut the player before the option bonus kicks in. The benefit of an option bonus is two-fold. One, it is non-guaranteed money for the team before it is exercised (it becomes guaranteed when exercised). Two, once exercised, the option bonus is divided evenly over the rest of the contract (up to five years).