BLUE 1,026 Posted February 28, 2014 Per Rotoworld.com: Chargers re-signed ILB Donald Butler to a multi-year contract. The 25-year-old was the top projected free agent on the inside linebacker market. A 2010 third-round pick out of Washington, Butler's career started slow with an Achilles' tendon tear but he's come on strong the past three seasons as a versatile three-down 'backer with plus coverage skills. He's an ascending player. The second level of DC John Pagano's 2014 defense should be all but set now, with Butler and Manti Te'o inside, and Dwight Freeney bookended by a healthy Melvin Ingram at outside linebacker. Look for GM Tom Telesco to attack cornerback and nose tackle in free agency and May's draft. Feb 28 - 2:54 PM Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CribbsForTheWin 117 Posted March 3, 2014 This was big for them. Was hoping the Browns would take a good hard look at him if he hit the free agency, but they locked up a good one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted March 3, 2014 Chargers ILB Donald Butler's new seven-year contract has a max value of $48 million, with $28 million guaranteed. The monetary numbers look big, but are less so when stretched across seven seasons. The annual average is under $7 million even with incentives built in. The Dolphins gave ILB Dannell Ellerbe a per-year average of $6.95 million last March. Butler is only 25, so a deal like this makes sense for this particular player. The first three years of Butler's deal are worth just under $20 million, and the Chargers essentially hold a club "option" for the remaining four seasons. Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted March 6, 2014 Updating previous items, ILB Donald Butler's new "seven-year" deal is actually a three-year, $19.8 million contract. The on-paper value is $51.8 million over seven seasons, but the Bolts have a $12 million club option available after three years. Butler's signing bonus is $11.15 million. Before the option, Butler's deal is a three-year commitment worth $6.6 million annually. It's still a more team-friendly contract than the Dolphins gave Dannell Ellerbe in 2013. Ellerbe makes $6.95 million a year. Source: Union-Tribune San Diego Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SJConrad 0 Posted March 24, 2014 Big signing for the bolts. Hoping that they can continue on this upswing but I think that might be more in the hands of #17 than the defence. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wannabe scout 33 Posted March 31, 2014 One of my favorite and one of the must unappreciated ILB in the league. I read there were over 15 teams that were going to target Butler in FA, bolts are lucky they didnt let him get to FA Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted March 3, 2016 Chargers released ILB Donald Butler. The move creates $9.410 million in cap space, but leaves behind a whopping $18.69 million in dead money. Those numbers fall to $4.65 million and $4.63 million, respectively, if Butler is designated as a post-June 1 cut. Butler is just two years removed from inking a "seven-year, $51.8 million" extension — which in reality was a three-year, $19.8 million pact — but was reduced to backup duties down the stretch last year. He's declined steadily. Butler turns 28 in October. The Union-Tribune San Diego's Kevin Acee called free agent ILB Donald Butler's performance after his 2014 contract extension the "worst money grab I've personally witnessed ... outside Jared Gaither." Acee added that Butler "gave up on the team and fans long ago." The Chargers gave Butler a "seven-year, $51.8 million" extension early in the 2014 offseason. Butler proceeded to rank 58th among 60 qualified inside linebackers in Pro Football Focus' 2014 charts, and 51st among 60 ILBs in 2015. Acee isn't usually so brash with ripping players, so this one stood out to us. Perhaps going back on the market will help renew underachieving Butler's motivation. Source: Kevin Acee on Twitter Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oochymp 2,393 Posted March 4, 2016 Kevin Acee has clearly never heard of Albert Haynesworth Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted March 4, 2016 He hasn't personally seen Haynesworth. The Union-Tribune San Diego believes the "lasting image" of free agent ILB Donald Butler in San Diego will be "that of a thief." Normally positive and always professional reporter Kevin Acee built on his Thursday Twitter criticism in a blog post. Acee says he finds it "(difficult to understand) how a man with any pride could even have shown up at Chargers Park the past year or so with as much as Butler stole from the team." Acee is convinced Butler "lost interest" after getting his contract extension, and believes there were games "after which his uniform might have actually been clean." Acee also believes Butler may have attempted a turnaround in 2015, but that it was already too late. If Acee has noticed these things, you can be certain other front offices have, as well. Source: Union-Tribune San Diego Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cherry 1,302 Posted March 4, 2016 Kevin Acee has clearly never heard of Albert Haynesworth Speaking of which Haynesworth nearly just died from a brain aneurysm. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
