Jamie Collins gets just $250K guaranteed from Patriots, but he can earn up to $5 million through incentives
Jamie Collins of the New England Patriots reacts after stopping Marshawn Lynch of the Seattle Seahawks in the first quarter during Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium on February 1, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
If Jamie Collins wants to maximize his new contract with the Patriots, he’ll really have to earn it.
As New England often does with its low-risk free-agent signings, Collins’ one-year deal is heavy on bonuses and incentives and light on guaranteed money. Albert Breer of The MMQB first reported the full details of the contract on Friday. Here’s the full rundown:
— $150K signing bonus
— $900K base salary, $100K guaranteed
— $850K in per-game roster bonuses ($53,125 per game)
— $100K workout bonus
— $2M in playing time incentives
— $500K Pro Bowl incentive
— $500K All-Pro incentive
As Breer explained, Collins can earn $1 million by playing 50, 60, 70, and 80 percent of snaps ($250K each) and another $1 million if he gets to 91 and 95 percent ($500K each). This $2 million in incentives doesn’t count against the cap, so his total cap number is $3 million.
Playing-time incentives ...
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) May 17, 2019
Likely to be earned: $250K for 50, 60, 70 and 80 percent (total: $1M).
NLTBE: $500K for 91 and 95 percent (total: $1M).
His play-time last year was just under 91 percent, which explains the markers. So his cap number is $3M. His max is $5M.
The signing bonus and partially guaranteed salary indicate that Collins will get a fair chance to make the 53-man roster. But at the same time, that makes him far from a lock. He’ll be in a similar situation as wide receiver Demaryius Thomas. Both are now veteran castoffs who have to prove themselves and/or stay healthy to maximize their value.
It would be a tremendous development for the Patriots if they paid out Collins the full $5 million, since it would mean he made the All-Pro and Pro Bowl teams in addition to playing 95 percent or more of snaps. So he’s not terribly likely to get the full value of the deal. But for a player who’s garnered a reputation for not always giving a full effort, it’s smart of the Patriots to require that for Collins to get as much as he can out of the deal.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.
