The six-year, $39 million contract agreed to by Denver Broncos quarterback Brian Griese last week almost certainly will be restructured by its final season, and could be redone even after just two seasons.

Still, it stands out as a solid bit of dealmaking even in the short term.

For the 2006 season, the Broncos must pay Griese a $5 million roster bonus in March or he will become a free agent that year. If the club pays the bonus, Griese's base salary is $1.8 million and the salary cap value will be $9.1 million.

The averages under the two- and three-year scenarios are even higher than the overall average, $6.5 million, for the entire six-year contract. After the third year of the contract, base salaries do not escalate wildly, as in some recently negotiated agreements for veteran quarterbacks.