The Pittsburgh Steelers made a splash on Saturday as they acquired cornerback Justin Gilbert in a trade with the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick. Now that the smoke has cleared related to the deal, here’s what you need to know about the financials related to the transaction.
For starters, Gilbert’s base salary of $786,682 in 2016 is fully guaranteed and that will also serve as his salary cap charge for the season. In 2017, however, Gilbert is guaranteed to earn $2,170,023 and that breaks down to a $970,023 base salary and a $1,200,000 roster bonus.
Being as Gilbert was originally drafted in the first-round, the Steelers should have the right to pick up his fifth-year option after the 2016 season is over. That will potentially be a great decision to be faced with as it will have meant he likely had a great 2016 season.
Gilbert was drafted eighth overall by the Browns in the 2014 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma State.
