The Patriots and guard Shaq Mason have agreed to a massive new deal, according to Mike Garafolo and Herbie Teope of NFL.com (on Twitter). The new five-year contract includes $23.5MM guaranteed and can be worth up to $50MM in total. 
Mason, who will earn close to $30MM over the first three years of new deal, has greatly outperformed his status as a former fourth-round pick. In terms of new money, he’s now in the top ten for guards in the NFL.
At a rate of $10MM per year, Mason matches David DeCastro of the Steelers and Kyle Long of the Bears in terms of average annual value. That’s good for fifth amongst right guards, behind Zack Martin, Kevin Zeitler, Trai Turner, and Gabe Jackson.
Mason is one of the better guards in the game today and also has age on his side. The 2015 fourth-round pick turns 25 on Tuesday and should have plenty of quality football ahead of him.
Last year, Mason graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 9 ranked guard in the NFL. While the Pats have cast aside other notables such as Chandler Jones, Jamie Collins, Dion Lewis, and Malcolm Butler, they felt that Mason was worth the major expenditure.
HOLY CRAP. Krafty Bob is actually dipping into his cash!!
It’s more likely he will just add $5 to the price of his stadium beer.
Good deal for both sides. Mason gets his money and the patriots get 5 more years of a good guard for a little below highest paid guards. This will be a better deal when other guards are getting paid more
2-3 years this deal will look like a steal I bet.
Yup it will be. Still surprised they came up with the cash
Not a Pats fan but I always like to see the guys who do the grunt work for the star players like Brady get treated right.