Before inking a two-year extension with the New England Patriots, veteran safety Patrick Chung considered retiring this offseason. It would have been a rather stunning move.
According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, retirement crossed Chung's mind before inking a two-year extension with the Patriots. The 32-year-old has been in the league since 2009, battling tons of injuries as well as amassing success.
Was told Chung considered retirement this offseason. Instead, he re-ups with New England for multiple years. https://t.co/PWrvLbGqVs
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) May 20, 2020
But as one of Bill Belichick's most formidable players on the defensive front, the Patriots might have offered him a deal he couldn't refuse.
The extension includes a $3 million signing bonus. While the contract has a $1.1 million base salary in 2020, it also gives Chung to earn some $800,000 in per-game roster bonuses, as well as a $100,000 workout bonus.
In the event that Chung decides to play beyond the season, the new deal has the same structure in 2021, 2022, and 2023 with base salaries of $1.9 million each year. It also has per-game roster bonuses which amount to $400,000, with $200,000 in incentives, and a $100,000 workout bonus.
Chung will be entering his 12th season in the NFL. Chung actually had two stints with the Patriots — the first from 2009 to 2012 then from 2014 to 2019. He was among the critical pillars of the team especially in its Super Bowl wins in 2014, 2016, and 2018.
At face value, the Patriots seem to be giving up a lot for Chung, who'll be turning 33-years-old in August. And by the time the contract expires, he'll be 36. But the deal actually creates an extra $925,000 in cap space for the Patriots. Prior to the signing, the team just had $630,880 is cape space.
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