LISTEN LIVE

The details behind DeVante Parker’s contract extension are here

Last week, the Patriots signed wide receiver DeVante Parker to what was reported at the time as a three-year, $33 million contract extension. However, as is typically the case with NFL contracts…

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 02: DeVante Parker #1 of the New England Patriots scores a touchdown during the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on October 02, 2022 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 02: DeVante Parker #1 of the New England Patriots scores a touchdown during the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on October 02, 2022 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

Last week, the Patriots signed wide receiver DeVante Parker to what was reported at the time as a three-year, $33 million contract extension.

However, as is typically the case with NFL contracts those numbers represent the full maxed-out potential of the deal and not the reality of the contract.

On Thursday, ESPN's Field Yates was the first to report the details of the contract. The structure, as expected, is much less of a financial commitment on the Patriots' side of things.

Of the $33 million available in the contract, $14 million is guaranteed. All of that guaranteed money in contained in the first two years, meaning the Patriots should have a relatively easy out in the final year of the deal in 2025, when Parker will be 32.

On top of that, Parker has $1.19 million available in per-game roster bonuses this season, then $1.7 million in each of the next two seasons. That number could end up mattering for Parker, who has missed a total of 10 games over the last two seasons and has played a full season just once in eight NFL seasons.

The remaining money is mostly made up of statistical incentives. There is also an All-Pro incentive in each year of the deal.



(Click here to subscribe to Patriots Audio on 98.5 The Sports Hub.)


By restructuring the deal, the Patriots opened about $2.4 million in salary cap space for this season. Parker originally had a $6.2 million fully non-guaranteed cap hit prior to the extension.

That leaves the Patriots with just over $16.5 million in projected cap space, according to Patriots salary cap expert Miguel Benzan. However, that number should be considered temporary, as we're still waiting on the details of the extension signed by linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley, the day after Parker's extension was signed. That extension has not been factored into Benzan's number.

Alex Barth is a writer and 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. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.

Read more...

Patriots cornerback shares his thoughts on the NFL’s gambling policy

For the past few weeks, reports have teased pending NFL suspensions relating to players gambling on sports. Those suspensions were handed down on Thursday.

Four players were included in the league's latest round of suspensions. Colts players Isaiah Rodgers and Rashod Berry, as well as free agent Demetrius Taylor, were suspended indefinitely for betting on NFL games. Nicholas Petit-Frere of the Titans was also suspended for six game for betting on non-NFL sports from the team facility. Any sort of sports betting from a team facility is prohibited by NFL rules.

Ever since current Jaguars wide receiver Calvin Ridley was suspended for sports betting for betting on sports last spring, the issue of NFL players betting on sports has been a contentious topic. While the latest CBA created some more flexibility, many players have still criticized the policies.

In the wake of these recent suspensions, players have once again shared their thoughts. That includes Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones, who took to Twitter Thursday night.

"I understand rules are rules, But (sic) I can risk my life so that my team wins but I can’t risk 1k on my team winning," he tweeted, followed by the shrug emoji.

Jones also replied to fans replying to his tweet, further explaining some of his thoughts - including on players betting on their own games. "If you don’t give maximum effort you lose you job more than any bet," he said to one user." This isnt boxing you can’t get 92 players on a Sunday to not show maximum effort.

In another reply, Jones clarified he doesn't bet on sports himself but still sees an issue with the policy. "I don’t bet on sports the ROI isn’t that great," he explained. "I’m only arguing logic."

Overall, 10 players have now been suspended by the NFL for some for of gambling infraction in the last two years. This conversation likely isn't going anywhere anytime soon either, especially as more states legalize sports betting.

Alex Barth is a writer and 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. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.

Alex Barth is a digital content producer and on-air host for 98.5 The Sports Hub. Barth grew up in the Boston area and began covering the New England Patriots, Boston Celtics, and Boston Red Sox in 2017 before joining the Hub in 2020. He now covers all things Boston Sports for 985TheSportsHub.com as well as appearing on air. Alex writes about all New England sports, as well as college football. You can follow him across all social media platforms at @RealAlexBarth.