Hundreds of players who are due to receive roster bonuses in a few weeks, and who would not receive them in a lockout, might argue that they should be free agents because their contracts were broken.
Hilliard is under contract, and he recently received a roster bonus of almost $700,000.
The Bears could potentially receive a roster exemption for Jeffery which would prevent them from having to clear a spot for him on the 53-man roster until later in the week.
In 2011, Orton receives a roster bonus of $1.5 million - already earned and paid - and a salary of $7.38 million, for a total of $8.88 million, solid compensation for a starting NFL quarterback.
Lucas Duda, an outfielder currently on the major league roster, received the organization's player of the year award.
And, barring any last-minute change, safety Kerry Rhodes will remain with the Jets next season and receive his $2 million roster bonus next week.
Last March, Stallworth, while driving drunk, struck and killed a pedestrian near Miami Beach, the morning after he had received a $4.5 million roster bonus from the Browns.
SEAHAWKS RELEASE KENNEDY: The Seattle Seahawks released the eight-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy yesterday, two days before he was to receive a $2 million roster bonus.
After refusing to rework his contract, Cowart received a $1 million roster bonus this off-season and moved to the middle, after two disappointing seasons playing the weak side.
Whether it is to restock a thin roster, receive an instant boost at a position of need or simply take advantage of the increasingly transient nature of college basketball, coaches appear to be competing to sign transfers more than ever.
