Clayton: “No surprise” Ja’Wuan James filed grievance vs. Broncos

It’s no surprise former Denver Broncos right tackle Ja’Wuan James filed an employment grievance against the team.

After blowing out an Achilles away from the facility, James put himself in a position to go on the non-football injury list and then was cut. Because of this procedure, the Broncos voided the guarantees in James’ contract and don’t have to play him his $10 million base salary. Players usually have a hard time winning these cases, but he’s going to give it a good fight.

One thing that was noted in the grievance is that the NFLPA is not involved in this case. It’s player versus team.

The big surprise is that James, despite knowing he will miss the season, was able to find a team to play him. The Baltimore Ravens gave him a two-year, $3.5 million that included a $500,000 guarantee. Good for him. The good is that he’ll be able to make over $1 million. He’s also have the Ravens handle his costly rehab from the injury.

The Ravens are taking a gamble on a good right tackle. First, they traded right tackle Orlando Brown to Kansas City because he wanted to be a left tackle and get a big pay day. They couldn’t move him to left tackle because left tackle Ronnie Staley is one of the highest paid tackles in football. Stanley is making $19.75 million a year.

After Brown’s departure, the Ravens signed Pittsburgh Steelers left tackle Alejandro Villanueva to be the starting right tackle. He signed a two-year, $14 million contract, but they can get out of the deal after this season. He has a $2 million signing bonus next year. There is no guarantee in next year’s salary.

James has a $500,000 roster bonus next year. Because both tackles are in their thirties, they can decide which one to keep — James or Villanueva.

What will be interesting in the legal battle for James is the opt out year will be taken in consideration. James opted out because of COVID-19 last season. This came after a 2019 season in which he was injured, started only three games and was on the field for only 63 plays. That means he was going through his first three years in Denver with only three games played and 63 snaps. The thought the team would have is that if you miss last season — which was in the player’s rights — it might be better to train at the facility after being available so little while being on a four-year, $51 million contract.