A $1.5 million signing bonus earned by kicker Brandon McManus when he signed with the Commanders is currently under scrutiny, as half of the money may be subject to a potential dispute. According to a source familiar with the contract, McManus was scheduled to receive $750,000 by April 26 and the remaining $750,000 by June 7. However, as of now, McManus is still owed the balance and it remains unclear if the Commanders will fulfill this payment.
The Commanders are currently facing a decision on whether to withhold the payment due on Friday. If they choose not to pay, the issue is resolved. However, if they do decide to withhold the funds, the situation could become more complex and contentious. The outcome of this scenario remains to be seen.
There is a possibility that the Commanders may refuse to pay the outstanding amount, citing reasons such as McManus failing to disclose civil claims arising from a 2023 flight to London before he was signed. Despite the weakness of their case, the Commanders could push McManus to pursue arbitration in order to obtain the money. During this process, they would have to carry a cap charge until a decision is reached, with the potential for cap relief if they emerge victorious.
