A league source tells us that the Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to terms with linebacker Lawrence Timmons, the team's first-round pick in the 2007 draft.
All Pittsburgh rookies are now under contract, one day before the team is due to report to St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.
The contract includes $8.053 million in guaranteed bonus payments, and have a five-year maximum total of $15 million. The deal includes a basic value of $12 million and incentive payments of up to $3 million.
The guaranteed payments are a combination of signing, option, roster, and one-time incentive payments based on playing time. The deal also includes the reporting/roster bonus concept in future years, which protects the team in the event that the player holds out or is suspended. Due to the Ashley Lelie ruling and the revised CBA, option bonus language is not subject to forfeiture; thus, teams are looking for alternative ways to ensure that the player will show up as the contract matures.
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