OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Ryan Mallett signed a two-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens that could pay out as much as $2.5 million in 2016. The key part of the deal is that none of the money is guaranteed.
So, even though coach John Harbaugh wouldn't define this as a trial period for Mallett, that's exactly what this deal makes it. He has to be on his best behavior for the next three weeks and next offseason if he wants to see any of the money.
This is important because Mallett informed the Ravens that he has received professional help for the personal issues that led to his release from the Houston Texans two months ago. Now, he has over a million reasons to prove he's committed to putting his mistakes in the past.
"I've grown up a lot," Mallett said. "I just want to be the best person I can, and that's what I've been working on. After that, I'll be working on the best player I can be."
The Ravens will give him $131,470 for three games this season, but they wouldn't have to pay him again if he is cut before next year's opener. By that time, Mallett will have been with Baltimore for nine months, and team officials are probably thinking they'll have a good handle on whether he's worth the risk of relying on him as the top backup to Joe Flacco.
If Mallett is on the Ravens' roster to start the 2016 season, he'll receive $1.5 million in base salary and could earn an additional $1 million in playing-time incentives. Mallett would make $500,000 if he plays 1 percent of the Ravens' snaps in 2016 and a total of $1 million if he plays 10 percent of the snaps, according to ESPN's Field Yates.
The deal is a little different from the one the Ravens gave Matt Schaub last offseason. Schaub received $2 million in guaranteed money ($1 million in base salary and $1 million signing bonus) -- compared with Mallett's $1.5 million in base salary -- and is going to earn an additional $1 million by playing in 10 percent of the Ravens' snaps.
"I think everybody is on that kind of trial in life," Harbaugh said of Mallett. "When you get a couple of strikes against you, it certainly brings it into sharp focus. He has an opportunity to make the best of it, and he's determined to do that. What he makes of it really in the end is up to him."
Source: No guaranteed money means Ryan Mallett is on trial period with Ravens
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