NFL wrap: Odell Beckham’s lucrative payday, Gronkowski’s new incentives

NY GIANTS wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr became a whole lot richer courtesy of a mammoth deal the NFL’s never seen before.

Odell Beckham Jr just became even richer.

ODELL Beckham Jr’s long-term contract status with the New York Giants might still be up in the air, but the deal he signed on Wednesday (AEST) should tide him over. According to NFL Network, Beckham agreed to the most lucrative shoe contract ever for an NFL player as Nike retained the services of the star wide receiver.

Beckham, who was a no-show at Giants’ organised team activity (OTA) on Monday, reportedly agreed to a five-year deal with Nike, matching Adidas’ offer that exceeded $AUD39 million, according to Nicekicks.com.

Beckham’s current deal with Nike expired on May 1, but the All-Pro wideout was still a restricted free agent, allowing Nike to match any offer within a 10-day window. Wednesday’s deal came on the final day of that time period.

The contract could be worth as much as $64 million for eight years if Beckham reaches certain incentive levels, according to The Record. Beckham, who has been named to the Pro Bowl in each of his first three years in the league, is set to earn $2.4 million in the final year of his rookie contract. Last month, the Giants picked up his fifth-year option for 2018 that will pay him $11.4 million.

Beckham’s developed a reputation for taking some special grabs.

GRONK IN LINE FOR MASSIVE PAY DAY

New England Patriots’ busy off-season continued when they reportedly agreed to restructure star tight end Rob Gronkowski’s current contract, adding a number of incentives that could make him the highest-paid tight end in the NFL.

Patriots and Rob Gronkowski restructured his deal for this season, giving him chance to become highest paid TE in NFL, per @RosenhausSports.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 23, 2017

According to agent Drew Rosenhaus, Gronkowski’s 2017 salary could possibly go from $7 million to as high as $14.4 million if he meets certain criteria. The 28-year-old, who played in only eight games last year after suffering a season-ending back injury, would have to either be on the field for 90 per cent of next season or finish the year with at least 80 catches, 1200 receiving yards or be named to the Pro Bowl.

If he fails to reach those numbers, he can still earn $11.7 million if he’s available for 80 per cent of the 2017 season or hauls in 70 catches or 1000 receiving yards or 12 touchdowns. The third tier in his new contract would net the four-time Pro Bowl tight end $9 million if he reaches 70 per cent playing time or 60 receptions or 800 receiving yards or 10 touchdowns.

For context, Gronk’s playing time percentage last season was 31.5 per cent, down from 84.2 per cent in 2015.

Added context on revised Gronk deal: Gronkowski's playing time percentages last three years: 31.5% in 2016; 84.2% in 2015; 70.3% in 2014.

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) May 23, 2017

The final two years of Gronkowski’s current six-year, $72.45 million deal will be untouched. He is scheduled to earn $12 million in 2018 and $13.4 million in 2019.

When healthy, Gronkowski has proven to be one of the best tight ends in the league. He scored 23 touchdowns in 2014 and 2015 combined, when he missed just one game in each of those seasons. But he was limited to just seven games in 2013 and eight games last season due to a number of injuries.

Today’s news is just the latest off-season move by the defending Super Bowl champions. The Patriots signed cornerback Stephon Gilmore to a five-year, $87 million deal and acquired wide receiver Brandin Cooks from the New Orleans Saints in a trade, two of their splashier transactions since the start of free agency.

Gronkowski has every reason to perform next season.

Originally published as NFL wrap: Odell Beckham’s lucrative payday, Gronkowski’s new incentives