Tony Hunter to Sign 1-Year Ram Contract

Tight end Tony Hunter will sign a one-year contract with the Rams today and will report to training camp on time with other Ram veterans tonight.

Hunter’s signing will leave three Ram veterans unsigned: wide receiver Henry Ellard, tackle Irv Pankey and kicker Mike Lansford.

Hunter will earn $300,000 this season, $100,000 less than last year. The Rams were expected to renew Hunter’s contract at $440,000, or 10% over last year’s salary, but his former agent failed to reply to the offer within the mandatory 15-day period.

The Rams then reportedly countered with an offer of $250,000 before finally settling at $300,000.

Hunter has filed a grievance with the NFL Players Assn., but otherwise he is not complaining.

“I’m happy with $300,000,” he said. “I know there are a lot of people out there working for minimum wage. It (the grievance) is just a matter of principle.”