FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- A closer look at the contract signed by New England Patriots defensive tackle Alan Branch reflects that while initial media reports of a two-year, $12 million pact are accurate, Branch would earn that total only if he hits a variety of bonuses (workout, active on game-day roster, reaches weight).
Signing bonus: $2 million
2017
Base salary: $1.7 million
Roster bonus: $650,000 ($40,625 per game)
Workout bonus: $400,000
Weight bonus: $400,000
Not-likely-to-be-earned incentives: $1.25 million
Salary-cap charge: $3.75 million
2018
Base salary: $1.7 million
Roster bonus-1: $600,000 ($37,500 per game)
Roster bonus-2: $1 million (paid first day of league year)
Workout bonus: $400,000
Weight bonus: $400,000
Not-likely-to-be-earned incentives: $2.3 million
Salary-cap charge: $4.7 million
The pure guarantee in this deal is $3 million, which accounts for Branch's signing bonus and $1 million of his 2017 base salary. Branch will have to earn everything else, as this is a bonus-filled deal -- Branch getting his money if he performs.
Specific to the weight bonus, the Patriots also have included that in deals for others, such as offensive tackle Marcus Cannon. Branch is listed at 6-foot-6 and 350 pounds and a weight bonus is an incentive the sides agree to for him to maintain a specific weight. The workout bonus is tied to that as well, as not all players (e.g. Branch) take part in the team's voluntary offseason program each year; Branch now has $800,000 in motivation to do so over the next two years.
Another part of the deal that is notable is a $1 million option bonus that picks up the 2018 portion of the contract. The Patriots have to decide if they are picking up the option by the end of the 2017 league year.
Branch, 32, was a critical cog in the Patriots' defense in 2016 and cap charges of $3.75 million in 2017 and $4.7 million in 2018 reflect that.
