New England Patriots Keeping Mayo
Oct 13, 2013; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots outside linebacker Jerod Mayo (right) tackles New Orleans Saints tight end Benjamin Watson (left) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported today that Mayo has agreed to a restructured, one-year deal worth $4.5 million fully guaranteed. Mayo is the heart and soul of the defense and a team captain, putting him in a category with Teddy Brusci from the first New England Patriots Super Bowl winning team. Mayo has a chance to push the deal up to $6 million if he reaches incentives.
The contract also includes two option years so if Mayo has problems from his torn patellar tendon in Week 6 of last season, the Patriots are protected. The Patriots can’t be blamed here as Mayo’s season ended in Week 6 for the second consecutive year. A torn pectoral muscle that ended his 2013 season to go with 2014 injury is what made the Patriots a little weary.
Mayo had a $4.5 million injury guarantee from the previous deal he had with the Patriots, per Rapoport. And if the Patriots would cut him before he had recovered from the knee injury, they still would have owed Mayo that fully guaranteed money. So any restructure of any deal would have had to start with the $4.5 million in guarantees for Mayo.
But this new deal shows the Patriots must like what they’ve seen in Mayo’s rehab process. So this deal is a win-win for both the Patriots and Mayo as there are assurances for both sides in case of injury. But right now, the Patriots keep the heart and soul of their defense and Mayo has a chance to make his money from reaching incentives.
He just might help the Patriots get back to the big dance.