CB Asomugha’s contract voided by odd clause has 6 comments

Jan 10th 2011, 11:45 | FFN-Score: 78 points

The clause might not actually be "odd" but it surprised even the Oakland Raiders when Nnamdi Asomugha's contract was voided after 2010.

Adam Schefter reported the shocking news on ESPN Sunday and it eliminates the 2011 team option for $16.8 million or the value of the quarterback (yes, quarterback, they make much more on average than cornerbacks) franchise tag, whichever was higher. The Raiders confirmed the nullification of Asomugha's deal Sunday.

"The contract is voided but we have to wait on all the ramifications of the CBA before we really move on from there," Raiders senior executive John Herrera said Sunday, via Jerry McDonald of the Contra Costa Times.

Essentially, Asomugha had to reach certain incentives to keep his contract from being voided. That included either a) playing more snaps in 2010 than 2009 or b) improving upon his interceptions, fumble recoveries or sacks from 2009.

Asomugha had a "worse" season in 2010 than 2009, mainly because he only played in 14 games, and his contract was voided and the team's option to either pay or franchise him is no longer there.

That means Asomugha, who's one of the best defensive players in the NFL and, depending on how you feel about Darrelle Revis, possibly the best cornerback in the NFL will be a free agent whenever free agency picks back up after labor negotiations are settled.

And, because he's only 30 years old, he'll probably be picking up a decently-sized contract.