CINCINNATI -- When he signed the largest contract of his career Thursday afternoon, linebacker Vincent Rey felt it was a sign he had "tangible validation" for the winding path he's taken throughout his career.
Rey's deal with the Cincinnati Bengals is three years, $11.5 million with a $3 million guarantee that will be paid out before the end of the weekend.
That's some contract when you consider the former undrafted free agent's greatest single-season earnings were the initially non-guaranteed $3.1 million he brought in last season, his sixth in the NFL. Rey has very good reason to be proud of his accomplishments.
He's also in the middle of an exciting time in his life. Football aside, Rey has a few other celebrations going on this month. Not only is he celebrating his one-year wedding anniversary, but in a couple of weeks he and his wife Noel will welcome their first child into the world.
"I'm happy. My wife is happy, and my child will be happy," Rey said. "We're a happy family."
Here's a fuller picture of Rey's new deal, according to contract details provided by a league source:
2016
Cash value: $4,500,000
Base salary: $1,000,000
Guaranteed salary: $3,000,000 (comes from a $3,000,000 roster bonus that's scheduled to be paid Sunday)
Additional roster bonus: $200,000
Workout bonus: $300,000
2017
Cash value: $3,250,000
Base salary: $2,250,000 (can receive a $500,000 base escalator based on playing time)
Roster bonus: $700,000
Workout bonus: $300,000
2018
Cash value: $2,750,000
Base salary: $2,250,000 (can receive a $500,000 base escalator based on playing time)
Roster bonus: $200,000
Workout bonus: $300,000