Patriots Reportedly Rework OT Sebastian Vollmer’s Contract

Field Yates of ESPN reports that the Patriots have restructured RT Sebastian Vollmer‘s contract and decreased the percentage of snaps it will require for him to earn the $2 million in incentives included in his current agreement.

Under Vollmer’s previous agreement, he would have earned $1 million for playing 80 percent of the Pats’ offensive snaps and another $2 million if he played 90 percent of the team’s offensive plays.

However, New England has reportedly decreased these requirements to  70 percent for $1 million and 80 percent for $2 million, according to Yates.

Vollmer would receive this bonus on top of his $2 million base salary for the 2014 season. Next year, Vollmer is also owed a $1 million roster bonus that will be paid on the third day of the 2015 league year.

Yates adds that this restructure will create a prorated cap charge of $333,333.33 that will be spread out over the remainder of the contract.

Over the course of nine games this season, Vollmer has played in 91.2 percent of the Patriots offensive snaps, so barring an injury, he’s clearly on pace to reach these incentives by the end of the season.

Vollmer, 30, found an underwhelming market as a free agent last year and ultimately elected to re-sign with New England for four years and $17 million in total. The contract included $8.25 million guaranteed.

Pro Football Focus has Vollmer rated as the No. 20 offensive tackle in the league out of 75 qualifying players.