Lions may avoid paying Culpepper $1 million bonus

Lions may avoid paying Culpepper $1 million bonus
December 12
Michigan Live
"It may not be as legendary as the 1985 NBA Draft Lottery conspiracy, but Lions insider Tom Kowalski has constructed a theory that might make Daunte Culpepper second-guess coming out of retirement.

Culpepper is two touchdowns and two games away from earning an additional $1 million in bonuses, but Kowalski told WDFN-AM Detroit, his chances of cashing the seven-figure check are about as likely as the winless Lions winning a game this season.

Detroit signed Culpepper to the veteran's minimum ($730,000) without a roster guarantee late this season, but offered the three-time Pro Bowler $1 million in incentive bonuses. According to Kowalski, Culpepper, who has served as his own agent since leaving Minnesota, only needs to meet one of five goals in order to claim his cash prize.

Three of Culpepper's incentives are far from being met, however, the veteran quarterback is close to meeting two goals, which include throwing at least six touchdown passes or playing at least 40 percent of Detroit's offensive plays.

Culpepper, 31, has thrown for four touchdown passes and has started five games for the Lions this season.

"If he plays the final two games, that's seven starts and guess what? That gets him over 40 percent," Kowalski said during his weekly hour-long show, The Point After. "If he does play again, it looks like he'll have a shot to make those incentives."

Lions coach Rod Marinelli named Dan Orlovsky, who has missed the last five weeks with a broken right thumb, as Sunday's starter against the Colts."
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