It's unfortunate that Amendola didn't live up to his contract, but he was the 2nd leading receiver last year and did catch 54 balls with a YPC of around 12.0. Amendola did his job for a guy making around 2--2.5m dollars.
It's possible that he stays on with a reduced salary, and if that's the case, then we should be fine with that.
It will all depend on how he plays for the rest of 2014 though. I'd have to imagine that he'll be offered to stay at a reduced salary. Whether or not he accepts that is anyone's guess.
????
I did not oppose the signing of Amendola, him playing this year, and will not criticize if the team decides to keep him another year. However, it is grossly misleading to suggest that all he was paid for 2013 was "$2-2.5M".
Did Amendola do his job for $8.375M, the amount he actually received in 2013? To put ir another way, if the team parts company with Amendola after this season, how likely is it that his services were worth $13.750M for the two years?
2013
Please check how much MONEY Amendola received in 2013. You cannot just look at the salary on a multi-year contract. I would say that he was given $10.375M for 2013 services and future options, since $2M of 2014 of 2014 was guaranteed. At minimum, he was given $8.375M for 2013.
2014
The decision for 2014 was whether to pay Amendola $1.375M of new money ($2m of his salary was guaranteed) for his 2014 services and an option on future services. Given the need at WR, it seemed right to keep Amendola for basically the cost of a minimum JAG veteran. Of course, if we could have traded him during the pre-season, the team could have saved $3M of cap room. It seems likely that someone might have given a 7th for Amendola.
Bottom line, the team decided to pay Amendola $3.375M for 2014.
2015
Amendola would be paid $4.375M of new money or not.
2016
Amendola would be paid $5.375M of new money, or not.
2017
Amendola would be paid $6.5M of new money, or not.