(Patriots Wire) — Shaq Mason has been the starting right guard for the Patriots for every single game since Week 2 of the 2016 season. Since then, they’ve played in two Super Bowls and won another ring, and he’s been one of the few consistent starters on their offensive line since the 2015 season that saw them win Super Bowl XLIX.
In other words, he’s about as important to the Patriots offense right now as anyone not named Tom Brady or Rob Gronkowski — and according to NFL Network’s Mike Garofolo and NFL.com’s Herbie Teope, he’s about to be handsomely rewarded for the role he’s played – and will continue to play – as a vital member of a perennial Super Bowl contending organization.
Per Teope, Mason is now one of the highest paid guards in all of the NFL, having signed a five-year contract worth $50 million with $23.5 million guaranteed.
According to Spotrac.com, only seven NFL guards have active contracts worth $50 million or more — and of those players, only Andrew Norwell (JAX), Zack Martin (DAL), Kelechi Osemele (OAK) were given a larger guarantee at signing.
