Sam Martin won't get the $2.4 million base salary he was expecting in 2019.
Instead, the Lions punter will get $1.7 million guaranteed after he agreed to a restructured contract, according to Field Yates of ESPN.
In addition, Martin's contract, which was originally set to run through 2020, is now voidable after this season.
Lions P Sam Martin had his contract reworked, dropping his non-guaranteed base salary in 2019 from $2.4M to a guaranteed $1.7M, while 2020 is now a voidable year of his deal.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) August 30, 2019Martin, 29, signed a four-year, 13.6 million extension with the Lions in 2016 that kicked in the following year. He impressed in his first four seasons in Detroit, including a career-best 48.5 yards per punt in 2016. That ranked fourth in the NFL.
But his numbers have slipped the past two seasons.
Martin was tied for 29th in yards per punt in 2017, when he missed six games with a foot injury, and tied for 22nd in 2018.
It's fair to say he has something to prove in 2019, especially now that his contract isn't ensured beyond this season.
With his new contract, Martin carries a cap hit of $2.3 million this year. That's tied for 11th among NFL punters. The Saints' Thomas Morstead leads the way at $4.25 million.
Despite his declining numbers of late, Martin remains part of a reliable special teams duo for Detroit with kicker Matt Prater.
