Ezekiel Elliott’s one-year deal with the Patriots is far more team-friendly than was initially reported.
On Monday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that it was a “$3 million base salary, a $1 million signing bonus and can be worth up to $6 million with incentives.” The $6 million maximum is accurate, but according a breakdown obtained by Pro Football Talk, the rest of Schefter’s report is not.
Here’s the contract details according to Mike Florio:
– Signing bonus: $600K
– Base salary: $1.55M (reduces to $1M if injured before season)
– Active roster bonus: $850K ($50K per game)
– Yards from scrimmage bonus: $1.5M ($300K for 975 yards, $300K for 1100 yards, $300K for 1225 yards, $300K for 1350 yards, $300K for 1475 yards)
– Playing time bonus: $1.5M ($300K for 50% of offensive snaps, $300K for 55%, $300K for 60%, $300K for 65%, $300K for 70%)
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So essentially, Elliott pocketed $2.15 million already that will remain his as long as he’s healthy until the season starts. From there? It’s basically all what he does out on the field. If he’s active for the full season, he’ll take home $3 million total, and beyond that it’s all production.
The snap count incentives seem particularly hard to reach, as Elliott is penciled in as the No. 2 back behind Rhamondre Stevenson. It’s hard to see the 28-year-old back playing more than half the offense’s snaps, especially if he gets banged up at any point.
