DT Earl Mitchell gets $3 million dollars guaranteed by the Dolphins

Earl Mitchell, defensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins, was guaranteed $3 million dollars of his base salary of $4 million dollars because he was still on the roster five days after the league's new year. This guarantee clause isn't uncommon in contracts across the NFL and Mitchell and his agent made sure they had one too when they signed the four-year deal worth $16 million dollars last off-season.

Mitchell was part of a defensive line rotation this past season and accumulated 33 tackles and two sacks. The line wore down as the season progressed and some had wondered if Mitchell's job was in jeopardy, especially because there would've been no cap hit if he had been cut prior to the fifth day. Now, there is no virtually no chance that he will be released and will likely start alongside Ndamukong Suh.

This story was written by Matthew Cannata. Follow him on Twitter: @PhinManiacs