National Football League

Dawkins takes pay cut to stay in Denver

Published Aug. 10, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

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Faced with the prospect of becoming another veteran salary cap casualty, Denver Broncos safety Brian Dawkins agreed to allow the team to pay him two-thirds less this season, the Denver Post reported Wednesday.

According to contracts submitted to the NFL office Tuesday, the 37-year-old Dawkins will make $1.6 million with a $400,000 bonus, instead of the $6 million in salary he was scheduled to make under his previous contract.

Dawkins, heading into his 16th NFL season, also saw the final two years of his contract chopped, so after this season he will be a free agent. Had he not agreed to the new financial terms, the team likely would have been forced to cut Dawkins.

"Where I am in my life as a person, this is no big deal to me," Dawkins said, according to the report. "It's what I felt was right. The last two-and-a-half years, I had a horrible taste in my mouth. I really wanted to be part of this team, part of the Denver Broncos ... I could have decided to continue my career some other place, but that's not what I wanted to do."

Dawkins, who spent 13 years as the Philadelphia Eagles' strong safety and made it to eight Pro Bowls, said his decision was also motivated by a desire to play for new head coach John Fox.

"I've put down some roots here with my home and my teammates," Dawkins said. "And a huge factor in this decision was having Coach (John) Fox here. I like what he's brought here. I'm excited about what we have going on here with the Denver Broncos."

Armed with the savings from Dawkins' pay cut, the Broncos were able to sign or acquire a slew of players, including defensive linemen Ty Warren and Brodrick Bunkley, running back Willis McGahee, and tight ends Daniel Fells and Dante Rosario.

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