Defensive tackle Dominique Easley landed on his feet five weeks after being released by the Patriots, but on slippery footing.
Easley, the Patriots’ first-round pick in 2014 who was unceremoniously and surprisingly dumped by the Patriots on April 13, signed a one-year, minimum-salary deal with the Los Angeles Rams this week with $0 guaranteed, per NFL Players Association Records.
His contract contains a $600,000 base salary, the minimum amount for a player with two years of NFL experience. The contract does not come with a signing bonus, any other bonuses, or any incentives.
It’s essentially a last-chance deal with Easley, who entered the NFL with a lot of hype and potential when the Patriots drafted him 29th overall in 2014. But Easley’s unwillingness to listen to his coaches or stick to the team’s prescribed injury rehab program led the Patriots to release him last month, even though Easley played well in spurts in 2014. Easley also has two bad knees after tearing each ACL while at the University of Florida, and ended each of his two seasons with the Patriots on injured reserve.
The Patriots released Easley even though it added an extra $1.991 million to his salary cap number. Easley will count $2.899 million against the Patriots’ cap this year.
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However, Easley is hardly guaranteed a spot with the Rams. Since he has fewer than four years of experience and is not a vested veteran, Easley will only be paid for each week he is on the Rams’ 53-man roster during the regular season – $35,924.12 per week. If Easley hits injured reserve with the Rams, his salary will drop to $21,252.94 per week ($363,000 split salary).
And since Easley had offset language in his previous contract with the Patriots, the Pats will receive a salary cap credit in 2017 for however much Easley is paid by the Rams. If Easley plays in all 16 games, the Patriots will receive a $600,000 cap credit next year. If he plays in eight games, the Patriots will receive a $300,000 cap credit.
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If Easley does stick with the Rams, he will face the Patriots at Gillette Stadium on Dec. 4.
Follow Ben Volin on Twitter at @BenVolin.