New Headline: Patriots Announce Julian Hill's Arrival: Dive Deeper into Team Tactics Now!
The Patriots signed the tight end to a three-year contract in NFL free agency.
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 17: Julian Hill #89 of the Miami Dolphins runs after the catch during the second half against the Las Vegas Raiders at Hard Rock Stadium on November 17, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images With team captain Hunter Henry as the only established option under contract, the New England Patriots entered free agency with some uncertainty at their tight end position. They ended up addressing the issue not be re-signing unrestricted free agent Austin Hooper, but rather by brining in some reinforcements: Julian Hill, who spent his first three seasons with the Dolphins, joined on a three-year contract .
While initially reported as an $18 million deal, that number includes $3 million in incentives. And even the base value of $15 million is not quite as straight-forward as it seems, a look at the pact’s details shows. TE Julian Hill: Contract details Base value: $15,000,000 Maximum value: $18,000,000 Guarantees: $7,500,000 Signing bonus: $4,200,000 Salary (2026): $1,400,000 Salary (2027): $1,900,000 2026 (age 26): Base salary: $1,400,000 Signing bonus: $1,400,000 Roster bonus: $765,000 Workout bonus: $135,000 Incentives: $1,000,000 Salary cap hit: $3,565,000 2027 (age 27): Base salary: $3,100,000 Signing bonus: $1,400,000 Roster bonus: $765,000 Workout bonus: $135,000 Incentives: $1,000,000 Salary cap hit: $5,400,000 2028 (age 28): Base salary: $3,600,000 Signing bonus: $1,400,000 Roster bonus: $765,000 Workout bonus: $135,000 Incentives: $1,000,000 Salary cap hit: $5,900,000 In terms of structure, Hill’s three-year deal with the Patriots is nothing out of the ordinary.
It includes base salaries, roster and workout bonuses, and playing time incentives in all three seasons. It also comes with $7. 5 million in guarantees.
However, how those guarantees are distributed relative to other costs is crucial and why Hill’s contract effectively can be considered a one-year deal. We just have too look at dead money and cap savings to find out why that is the case. First things first, though.