Breaking down Vince Wilfork's deal

Below is a breakdown of the contract Patriots nose tackle Vince Wilfork agreed to on Thursday with the team:

2014
Signing bonus: $1.3 million
Base salary: $1.3 million (guaranteed)
Weight clause incentive: $300,000
Offseason workout bonus: $200,000
Per-game roster bonus 1: $500,000 for the first game on the 53-man roster
Per-game roster bonus 2: $87,500 for each game on the 46-man game day roster (up to $1.4 million)
Playing-time incentives:
If he plays 50 percent of the defensive snaps: $500,000
If he plays 60 percent of the defensive snaps: $1.25 million
If he plays 70 percent of the defensive snaps: $2 million
If he plays 70 percent of the defensive snaps and the team makes the divisional round of the playoffs, he makes $2.5 million
Defensive incentive: If Wilfork plays 70 percent of the defensive snaps and the team is top 10 in points allowed, he earns $500,000
Base total: $5 million
Incentives total: $3 million
Maximum value: $8 million ($2.6 guaranteed)

In restructuring Wilfork's deal, the Patriots earned an estimated immediate cap savings of $4.9 million. However, if Wilfork reaches all of his incentives for the 2014 season, their overall cap savings from the previous contract structure would be $900,000.

The contract includes an option for the final two years, which the Patriots must exercise or decline by the end of the 2014 league year.

2015
Roster bonus: $4 million (due on the first day of the league year)
Base salary: $3 million
Weight clause incentive: $300,000
Offseason workout bonus: $200,000
Per-game roster bonus: $31,250 for each game on the 46-man roster (up to $500,000)
Playtime/defensive incentive: If Wilfork plays 70 percent of the defensive snaps and the team makes the divisional round of the playoffs, he earns $500,000
Maximum value: $8.5 million

2016
Base salary: $5 million
Weight clause incentive: $300,000
Offseason workout bonus: $200,000
Per-game roster bonus: $31,250 for each game on the 46-man roster (up to $500,000)
Playtime/defensive incentive: If Wilfork plays 70 percent of the defensive snaps and the team makes the divisional round of the playoffs, he earns $500,000
Maximum value: $6.5 million

Overall value: 3 years, $23 million ($2.6 million of which is guaranteed)

Quick-hit: As expected, this deal provides incentive for both sides. Wilfork has a higher ceiling than his previous deal, which had just one more year remaining. The team has the opportunity to decline the option and has created short-term salary-cap relief and less guaranteed money for 2014. If Wilfork plays at a high level, the team would likely exercise the option. If he returns to form coming off of an Achilles tear, $23 million over three years is a worthwhile investment for a player of his caliber at that position.


(espn.com)