Aldon Smith is scheduled to earn $9.754 million in 2015. While San Francisco is still willing to pay the amount to Smith, he will have to stay on his best behavior to earn it.
Smith and the 49ers restructured his contract so he will have to earn roster bonuses to reach the $9.754 million amount, CSNBayArea reports.
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The redone contract doesn't offer any salary cap relief for the 49ers.
“It wasn’t like they said, ‘If you don’t do this, you’re cut,’” said Doug Hendrickson, who represents Smith.
Smith will instead have to prove himself to the team that he has put his troubled past behind him. The linebacker was suspended for nine games last season after he violated the NFL's policies of substance abuse and personal conduct.
"Ultimately, he’s loyal and he appreciates all the 49ers have done for him,” Hendrickson said. “They have supported him. He recognizes that, and he doesn’t want to go anywhere. He wants to continue to build trust and show them who he is.
“He’s basically saying, ‘I’m willing to bet on myself.'"