Yesterday, Patriots rookie linebacker Jerod Mayo officially signed his first contract with the Patriots. According to reports, the deal will be five years, and worth $18.9 million, with just over $13M in guarantees and bonuses. I think this deal really shows Belichick’s genius.
Consider the fact that last night, Jets rookie outside linebacker Vernon Gholston signed a five year contract worth $50 million, with over $20 million in guarantees. After the draft, rumors were circulating that the Patriots had tried to move up to the number five spot, in order to select Gholston. However, at seven, the Patriots knew that they wanted Jerod Mayo, he was now their guy.
However, Belichick and Pioli entertained offers, and found the right one. They moved down to 10, saved about $10-$15 million, and picked up an extra pick that gave them Shawn Crable (and indirectly another 2nd round pick because the Patriots would have likely selected Crable at that 69 spot had it not been for the fact they had another 3rd round pick they thought they could use on Crable.
It will really be interesting to see how much money Belichick and Pioli saved the Patriots once Saint’s seventh overall pick, Sedrick Ellis, signs his contract. If Mayo turns out to be the Pro Bowl player we all hope he can be, and Crable becomes a starter on the outside, then the big draft day may go down as one of Belichick’s greatest moves yet.
