Breaking down cornerback D.J. Hayden's contract with Detroit Lions
D.J. Hayden has made it through all 16 games only once in his four-year NFL career, but for the Detroit Lions' newest cornerback to max out the value of his contract, he'll have to stay on the field.
Hayden officially signed a one-year, $3.75-million deal with the Lions on Saturday that includes a $1-million signing bonus and $2-million base salary. His contract also includes $500,000 total in per-game roster bonuses this year — $31,250 for every game he's on the 46-man game day roster — and a $250,000 workout bonus.
He can make up to $1.5 million more in incentives based on interceptions and playing time.
T.J. Lang coming home to Detroit Lions on 3-year deal
Hayden, who did not have an interception in 11 games last year, can play either slot or outside cornerback and said he's willing to play "wherever I'm needed" with the Lions.
"Whether it’s outside, inside, special teams, wherever it is, I’m just ready to work," Hayden said in a conference call with Detroit reporters Saturday.
The Lions return both starting cornerbacks from last year in Darius Slay and Nevin Lawson, but top slot corner Quandre Diggs is coming off a season-ending pectoral injury.
Hayden said he spent part of last off-season working out with Slay and Lions safety Glover Quin, and he hopes to do so once again this spring.
"That’s definitely something I’m interested in just so we can get our chemistry down cause we’re a team now," Hayden said. "So for us to get our chemistry down, it’d be great for the team so we can win games this year."
Catch up on all the Detroit Lions moves in free agency
Details of Rick Wagner's contract with the Detroit Lions
Contact Dave Birkett: dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.