It looks as though WR Dwayne Jarrett is likely to stick with the Carolina Panthers unless he completely bombs out in training camp.
That didn’t look like the case at the end of the 2009 season when Jarrett was declared inactive by coach John Fox before injuries forced him back on to the field.
Really there’s no reason to release Jarrett at this point and here’s why: The Panthers have to pay him about $530,000 in guaranteed money this year anyway as part of second portion of original rookie signing bonus. Normally with most rookie contracts that money is paid it out well before the fourth season, but Jarrett has played so little (and been so unproductive) that he hasn’t triggered that second signing bonus under the terms of his contract. Until now.
The Panthers will have to pay him that bonus this year regardless of whether he makes the team or not since it is his final season.
And, since his base salary this year is $550,000 — the league minimum for a player entering his fourth NFL season — it’s almost like being in a big hand of poker. You might as well go “all in” and hope you get lucky even though odds are you won’t win.
Hey, maybe his performance in the 2009 season finale was a sign of things to come. Like I said, he’s at least worth bringing to training camp.
Then again, maybe the Panthers will just add him to the ongoing fire sale.
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