Broncos defensive tackle McDonald takes $2 million paycut

[June 13, 2018]    The contract of Denver Broncos defensive tackle Clinton McDonald was restructured Tuesday, with the base salary dropped from $3 million to $1 million.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Chase Daniel (10) is sacked by Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Clinton McDonald (98) during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters Picture Supplied by Action Images

According to ESPN, McDonald's contract -- a two-year, $7 million deal he signed in March as a free agent -- required him to pass a June 11 physical in order to guarantee all $3 million of his base salary.

The 31-year-old had shoulder surgery earlier this offseason, and Tuesday's news likely means he remains unable to pass a physical.

McDonald can still make up the $2 million trim to his base salary through weekly roster bonuses pertaining to his status on the 53-man roster and whether or not he is active on gamedays, per ESPN. He is still guaranteed $1 million in base salary and a $1 million roster bonus, making for a maximum of $4 million in earnings in 2018.

McDonald had 5.0 sacks for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last year, the third time he has topped that figure in a single season in his career. He has 19.0 sacks in 97 games (36 starts) across nine NFL seasons.

--Field Level Media

[© 2018 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]

Copyright 2018 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.  Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.