Branden Albert owes Jaguars $3.4 million after retirement
Hours after announcing his retirement, Branden Albert may be rethinking his decision
Before playing a down for the Jacksonville Jaguars veteran offensive tackle Branden Albert announced his retirement from football Monday afternoon.
Acquired in a trade with the Miami Dolphins for a seventh round draft pick, the Jaguars assumed Albert’s enormous contract, with included signing bonuses set through the next two seasons.
With Albert no longer planning to play in the NFL the Jaguars will be sending an armored truck to his doorstep to recollect the signing bonus.
According to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport Albert now owes the Jaguars $3.4 million in prepaid signing bonus money should he remain retired.
Bad news for #Jaguars LT Branden Albert: If he stays retired, he owes $3.4M back in old signing bonus to Jax — $1.7M this year, $1.7M in ‘18
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 31, 2017
If Albert changes his mind regarding retirement he can hold onto the signing bonus money but face the risk of injury as a veteran player.
More from NFL News
- Patriots News & Rumors: Ezekiel Elliott talks fun in Foxboro; Mills to Packers?
- NFC East Buzz: Isaiah Simmons trade, Deuce Vaughn praise, Eagles rumors & more
- Should Trey Lance be considered an NFL draft bust?
- Jonathan Taylor trade rumors: 3 most alluring fits for Colts star running back
- Tua Tagovailoa: keep ‘my name out of your mouth’; Dolphins QB sends strong message
Albert thanked the Jaguars organization, with whom he had a relationship lasting just a handful of months between the trade and his premature retirement, in a statement.
"I wish Coach Marrone and my Jacksonville teammates the best of luck on their journey this season. During my short stint in Jacksonville, I quickly realized that they are working incredibly hard to turn the corner and I truly believe that they will find success in the coming years."
Jacksonville planned on the veteran offensive tackle to start on the left side of their offensive line, helping provide protection for struggling quarterback Blake Bortles. Now with a weak free agent market going into training camp rookie Cam Robinson is expected to anchor the left tackle position.
The Jaguars drafted Robinson in the second round out of Alabama this year with the hope of starting him in the future, not necessarily as a rookie out of training camp.
Next: What happened to Kevin White?
Look for the Jaguars to add a veteran either through free agency or a minor trade prior to camp cuts beginning next month to help support Robinson on the left side.