Jake Bailey can look forward to a hefty pay rise in 2022. The punter will collect almost four million dollars, making him the top earner at his position. The reason for this is a clause in the collective bargaining agreement.

Munich – Jake Bailey is a fifth-round pick. The New England Patriots have secured the punter’s services in 2019.

Now the combination of punter and fifth-round pick on a rookie contract doesn’t make for the fattest wallet in the NFL.Bailey would make $965,000 in 2022 in his fourth and final year of his contract – if it weren’t for the Pro Bowl. And an agreement.

Because Bailey was nominated for the Pro Bowl after the 2020 season. In the course of the so-called “Proven Performance Escalator”, which was laid down in the “Collective Bargaining Agreement” – the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement – there is now a whopping salary increase.

The “PPE” is intended for talent selected in the draft from rounds two through seven who are additionally rewarded for achieving set athletic goals that exceed expectations according to their pick.

Will the New England Patriots kick him out?

In Bailey’s case, it’s a raise of more than 300 percent, as Bailey will get $3.986 million in the new season. According to “Spotrac,” that makes him the highest-paid punter in 2022.

The problem for Bailey: The money is not guaranteed. Meaning: The Patriots around coach Bill Belichick could part with him or negotiate a new contract with him, after all his cap hit is just over four million dollars. He wouldn’t be able to buy so much with his mega-salary after all.