OL Nick Gates signs a somewhat significant extension

for hopefully an up-and-coming backup OL. Are there really more complicated metrics for offensive lineman in contracts?

In comment 14944390 LBH15 said:

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for hopefully an up-and-coming backup OL. Are there really more complicated metrics for offensive lineman in contracts?

Some portion of the incentives will be playing-time based. For offensive linemen, there will be additional incentives that will usually include a number of starts that would mean the team made the playoffs, incentives tied to the team's overall record, and then individual awards. And these incentives don't count against the cap when the deal is signed:

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Incentives are usually designed to be classified as not likely to be earned (NLTBE), so that they will not count against the salary cap when a deal is signed. Generally, any incentives with higher thresholds than the player or team's statistical performance in the prior season qualify as NLTBE. The most frequent categories for individual achievement are playing time or based on the player's primary function (i.e., receptions or receiving yards for a wide receiver). Coupling an individual achievement with a team statistical performance also makes an incentive NLTBE. If earned, a team will incur a salary cap charge for most incentives after the playoffs end. Incentives are typically paid in February or March following the season in which they are earned.

Joel Bitonio and Andrew Whitworth had incentives based on percentage of snaps played (with a bonus at 85%), incentives for number of starts - with Whitworth having a bonus at 18 starts (needs the playoffs) and both had incentives based on record that kicked in when the team was over .500

In addition, there were incentives for being named Pro Bowl and All-Pro and for not committing penalties.

to be the key measure. All Pro and Pro Bowl for a guy like Gates sounds nice and all but are likely unreachable stretch goals (in this contract period).

Penalties can only be measured if your starting so cuts both ways but workable as a metric.

that would make a lot of sense. Also for context even last year, Gates played a higher % of snaps than I realized. Per PFF his 291 snaps were 27% of the 1068 snaps Will Hernandez played (and I believe he played like 99.9% of all snaps).

So "3 starts" was really just more than 1/4 of the season when you add in partial action.

75-85% would seem to be fair for both sides. If he remains in the swing role he won't come close but if he wins a starting role he will likely hit it. And if he doesn't play well enough to lock down that starting role for multiple seasons he'd return to the swing role and lower comp.

In comment 14944412 LBH15 said:

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to be the key measure. All Pro and Pro Bowl for a guy like Gates sounds nice and all but are likely unreachable stretch goals (in this contract period). Penalties can only be measured if your starting so cuts both ways but workable as a metric.

Yes agree, should have said # of starts or # of snaps will be the likely key measure.

but reaching anywhere near the full amount will likely mean excellent performance and team success.

Cameron Erving's contract with the Cowboys has incentives:

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Erving will make $31,250 each time he’s on the active gameday roster — $500,000 in total. Speaking to his incentives, the former Chiefs starter can net $125,000 if he logs 65 percent of offensive snaps and the Cowboys qualify for the playoffs, and an additional $125,000 if he plays 80 percent of snaps and the team reaches the postseason.

So being active for all games will get him $500K, but no matter how much he plays, if the Cowboys don't make the postseason, he doesn't earn an additional $250K

Dan Salomone
@NYGsalomone
·
6m
Coach Joe Judge is on a video conference. He said Nick Gates, who just signed a contract extension, could factor into any of the five starting OL spots. He said the coaches need to do a good job of mapping out how they split his practice reps.

In comment 14944416 FatMan in Charlotte said:

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but reaching anywhere near the full amount will likely mean excellent performance and team success. Cameron Erving's contract with the Cowboys has incentives: Quote: Erving will make $31,250 each time he’s on the active gameday roster — $500,000 in total. Speaking to his incentives, the former Chiefs starter can net $125,000 if he logs 65 percent of offensive snaps and the Cowboys qualify for the playoffs, and an additional $125,000 if he plays 80 percent of snaps and the team reaches the postseason. So being active for all games will get him $500K, but no matter how much he plays, if the Cowboys don't make the postseason, he doesn't earn an additional $250K

Well, lets see if Gates and his agent remembered what the NYG won/loss record has been for the past several years.

Finney from the Seahawks has incentives for roster bonus, starts, if the team makes the playoffs, if he makes the ProBowl, and if he's the 1st or 2nd best OL on the team (I'm sure the criteria of determining that is included in the contract details!)

The roster and start money is 60% of the incentives

In comment 14944424 FatMan in Charlotte said:

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Finney from the Seahawks has incentives for roster bonus, starts, if the team makes the playoffs, if he makes the ProBowl, and if he's the 1st or 2nd best OL on the team (I'm sure the criteria of determining that is included in the contract details!) The roster and start money is 60% of the incentives

Gates might want to go with that 1st or 2nd best OL incentive. With this line it may be a slam-dunk for him.

In comment 14944359 YAJ2112 said:

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In comment 14944354 christian said: Quote: Eric -- the extension is beyond 2020 (21,22), and those are the years I was clearly addressing (and noted). Presumably his 2020 compensation is his current ~675K salary + plus a portion (500K) of his new signing bonus. 2020 is a low salary now and before. All good. Moving forward is the key issue, and where I don't believe "below market" applies, especially if the incentives are easy to earn. If the incentives are commensurate with playing well, all good too! If he were to be paid ~5M in 2021 he would be the 16th most costly center, and in 2022 would be 12th most costly. Given the 1.5 million signing bonus, his cap hits at most would be 4.6 million in 21/22 even with hitting all incentives (assuming they are all LTBE and spread evenly along with salary).

Sorry for my Qanon level deception with the rounding there :) -- you are right it is indeed 4.6M at the high end. As of now that would still be good for 16th, and actually 11th highest paid center in 21 and 22 respectively.

My only point in all of this, is if Gates hits the top end of the incentives as a center he's being paid fairly. I hope the incentives are constructed to measure success and I hope he hits them.

..

In comment 14944795 djm said:

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Thank Captain Analytics

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Ian Rapoport @RapSheet The #Bills officially signed veteran G Brian Winters, who gets a 1-year deal worth $3M with $2M guaranteed. Not bad for this economic environment.

good thing they got the Gates deal done before Winters turned the market upside down.

In comment 14944911 Eric on Li said:

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Quote: Ian Rapoport @RapSheet The #Bills officially signed veteran G Brian Winters, who gets a 1-year deal worth $3M with $2M guaranteed. Not bad for this economic environment. good thing they got the Gates deal done before Winters turned the market upside down.

In comment 14944948 BlueLou'sBack said:

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In comment 14944911 Eric on Li said: Quote: Quote: Ian Rapoport @RapSheet The #Bills officially signed veteran G Brian Winters, who gets a 1-year deal worth $3M with $2M guaranteed. Not bad for this economic environment. good thing they got the Gates deal done before Winters turned the market upside down.

Beane did learn from Gettleman, so it makes sense he would make a similar move