Unlike many guaranteed portions of contracts, there is no offset clause in Faneca's deal, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. He gets the full $5.25 million, and, when Faneca inevitably signs his next deal as a free agent, none of that money counts against that total. When it's all said and done, the veteran could well end up earning over $10 million this season.
Interestingly, another prominent player released this season despite a massive guaranteed payment -- Jake Delhomme, with nearly $14 million guaranteed by the Panthers -- also had no offset in his contract, allowing him to make about $20 million total this season.
They have something else in common as well: Delhomme and Faneca are both represented by the same agency, Priority Sports. Nice work on their part, for sure.