Lions built plenty of protection into Prater's contract

Matt Prater served a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's policy on substance abuse last year, and he's one slip up from an even longer ban.

As such, the Detroit Lions built plenty of protection into the three-year contract Prater agreed to last week.

The deal, which was originally reported as a three-year, $9-million deal, is actually a two-year contract with a team option for 2017.

Prater, who stabilized the Lions' dismal kicking situation after he signed with the team in early October last year, got a $750,000 signing bonus and has base salaries of $1 million this year, $2.25 million in 2016 and $3.15 million in 2017.

Along with his base salaries, Prater can earn $950,000 in per-game roster bonuses over the next three seasons and has a $50,000 workout bonus each year.

In 2015, Prater can earn $12,500 per game in bonuses, or $200,000 if he plays in all 16 games.

In 2016, Prater can earn $15,625 per game in bonuses, or $250,000 if he plays in all 16 games.

In 2017, Prater can earn $15,625 per game in bonuses, or $250,000 if he plays in all 16 games, and he has a $250,000 roster bonus that's due the third day of the league year.

The Lions have until the third day of the 2016 league year to exercise the 2017 option on Prater's contract for $750,000 or his 2016 base salary increases to $3 million.

Prater, whose 2015 cap number is $1.5 million, will earn $9 million if he plays his entire contract.

Last year, Prater made 21 of 26 field goals with a long of 52 yards for the Lions. He made an NFL-record 64-yarder in 2013 with the Denver Broncos, who released him during his suspension last year.

Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.