Details Emerge On Antonio Brown's Patriots Contract, With Second Year Added For Salary Cap Purposes
BOSTON (CBS) -- When the Patriots shocked the world Saturday by signing Antonio Brown, the early reports indicated that it was a one-year deal between the team and the player. That's not entirely accurate.
ESPN's Adam Schefter shared some contract details on Monday morning, noting that a second year at $20 million has actually been added to this year's deal.
That, however, doesn't mean that Brown will be suiting up for the Patriots for a $20 million salary next season. It is merely a means of manipulating the salary cap for this season, to help limit the impact of adding Brown for 2019.
Patriots added an option year for Antonio Brown in 2020 at $20 million which becomes guaranteed if executed, per source. It was done to help for cap proration purposes this season.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 9, 2019
The contract manipulation is not much different from the 2014 signing of Darrelle Revis. That deal, too, was technically a two-year deal by name. But both sides understood the deal: the Patriots acquired Revis' services for a year, while Revis was paid his top-of-market rate, with the cap hit being spread out over two seasons.
Brown's deal for 2019 will reportedly pay him $9 million, with a chance to earn up to $15 million. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport shared the details of how Brown will earn that money in 2019:
#Patriots deal with Antonio Brown: $1M fully guaranteed base, $9M signing bonus ($5M now, $4M later), $500K in 46-man roster bonuses & NLTBE incentives of $1.5M for each of these -- 105 catches, 1,298 yds, 16 TDs. Total: $15M. Plus a $20M option that's guaranteed if picked up
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 9, 2019
From NFL Now: More on what the #Patriots gave WR Antonio Brown on his new contract. AB was in the building today, per @MikeGiardi. pic.twitter.com/wMh1MB0xgk
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 9, 2019
The 31-year-old Brown led the NFL with 15 touchdowns last year. Since 2013, he has averaged 114 receptions for 1,524 yards ad 11 touchdowns per season.