Jerod Mayo, Patriots Restructure Contract: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction

The New England Patriots have ensured that Jerod Mayo will be sticking around for at least one more year, agreeing on a contract restructure with the linebacker Wednesday. 

Ian Rapoport of NFL.com has the report:

As Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk noted, Mayo originally was slated to make $6.25 million this season. But after suffering season-ending injuries in the sixth game of the past two seasons—a torn pectoral in 2013 followed by a torn patella tendon in 2014—the team decided to restructure his deal. 

Tom E. Curran of CSNNE.com provided further details on the new contract:

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Because Mayo’s deal was guaranteed for injury this season, the Patriots would have to pay him $4.5 million if it released him to save the cost of Mayo’s $6.25 million salary. Now, the Patriots will have to pay only if Mayo plays, and Mayo won’t have to rehab with a nagging wonder as to whether or not he still might be released when healthy.

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As Cian Fahey of Bleacher Report noted, Mayo's injury history has made this a "prove-it" season:

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Mayo in a similar situation to Sam Bradford after his past two seasons. Needs to prove health. https://t.co/Yp6UmJPRue

— Cian Fahey (@Cianaf) April 22, 2015"

Mayo, 29, looked like he was going to be one of the better linebackers in the league early in his career. He registered at least 95 tackles in his first five seasons and notched 175 tackles, 2.0 sacks and three fumble recoveries in 2010, when he was voted Associated Press First-Team All-NFL and made the Pro Bowl. He also won the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 2008 and made the Pro Bowl in 2012. 

But after playing in just 12 games combined the past two seasons, Mayo needs to prove he can both stay healthy and remain as productive as he was in his younger years. If he can stay on the field, it will be a major boost for the Patriots defense, but if his injury woes bite again, he may have a hard time securing another big contract after this season.