Rookie, Expansion and Total Earnings

WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for American Sports Story.

The new FX series American sports history chronicles the rise and fall of Aaron Hernandez as a superstar NFL tight end and convicted murderer. Josh Rivera directs that American sports history Cast as Aaron Hernandez, the former college and NFL superstar tight end who was convicted in 2015 of murdering semi-pro football player Odin Lloyd. The first two episodes of American sports history Get a basic overview of Aaron Hernandez's complicated upbringing, tumultuous family life, and accelerated path to the Florida Gator before joining the NFL's New England Patriots in 2010. American sports history Episode 3 explores Hernandez's celebrity status and his religious influences at the University of Florida.

American sports history Episode 4, “Birthday Money,” details Hernandez's transition from 2010 John Mackey Award winner to his draft stock plummeting before the NFL Draft due to off-the-field concerns. Although Hernandez was talented enough to become a first-round draft pick, he was ultimately selected in the fourth round by the New England Patriots, who had one of the most proven disciplinary structures in the entire NFL. The Patriots initially signed Hernandez to a 4-year rookie contract in 2010 before being granted a five-year, $40 million extension in August 2012.

How much Aaron Hernandez's rookie contract was worth

Hernandez signed a 4-year, $2.378 million rookie contract

Aaron Hernandez received a rookie contract from the New England Patriots after being selected 113th in the 2010 NFL Draft. Hernandez's contract was worth $2.378 million, to be paid out over the first four years of his NFL career. Hernandez was guaranteed $200,000 as a signing bonus, which he would receive an average annual salary of $594,500 (via Spotrac). Hernandez was paid $200,000 immediately after signing the rookie contract and received an annual salary of just under $600,000 for the 2010 and 2011 seasons. The contract would have expired after the 2013–2014 season, but Hernandez received a major contract extension in 2012.

Hernandez's rookie contract was valued based on his selection in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. His teammate and fellow tight end Rob Gronkowski, who was selected by the Patriots in the second round with the 42nd overall pick, received a larger rookie deal. Gronkowski signed a four-year contract worth $4,440,000 This included a signing bonus of $1,760,000. $2,530,000 of the contract was guaranteed and Gronkowski would receive an average annual salary of $1,110,000 (via Spotrac). Jermaine Gresham, the only tight end selected in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft with the 21st overall pick, signed a 5-year, $14,095,000 contract with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Aaron Hernandez signed a five-year, $39.6 million contract extension in 2012

His stellar performance in Super Bowl XLVI led to his big extension

Hernandez received a fairly standard contract as a rookie, but quickly proved his elite value to the Patriots following his performance in the 2011-2012 NFL season. He finished the regular season third in receiving yards behind Wes Welker and Rob Gronkowski, with career-high totals of 79 receptions, 910 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns. Hernandez even surpassed Rob Gronkoskwi and all of the Patriots' wide receivers Super Bowl XLVI, leading the team in receiving yards (67) and scoring one of the Patriots' two touchdowns in their 21:27 defeat. Hernandez signed a major 5-year, $40 million extension to his rookie contract following his standout performance in Super Bowl XLVI.

Hernandez's five-year, $39.6 million extension would have kept him with the New England Patriots through the 2018-19 season and made him a three-time Super Bowl champion. Gronkowski also received a similar six-year, $54 million extension in 2012. Hernandez's contract would have paid him an annual salary of $5.65 million and a total bonus of $12.5 million. Hernandez received a salary of $3.29 million for the 2012-13 season received $9.25 million of the $12.5 million signing bonus. $15.95 million of the $39.6 million was guaranteed.

Aaron Hernandez earned $11.2 million in his NFL career

He was only paid for the seasons he actually played

Hernandez only earned a total of $11.2 million in his NFL career combines the two years of his rookie contract and the first year of his five-year extension. The Patriots released him in 2013 after it was revealed he had been arrested for first-degree murder, and the extension was effectively revoked. According to NFL.com: “The New England Patriots have voided all of Aaron Hernandez's contract guarantees, according to a source briefed on the Patriots' decision-making and an NFL Players Association source, meaning the former tight end will have to fight to get even a portion of his contract bonus receive that he has already earned it.”

While there was briefly consideration of keeping Hernandez on the Patriots' active roster as his murder trial concluded in 2013, The Patriots immediately released him from the team just 90 minutes after his arrest. “Hernandez was scheduled to receive $2.5 million in guaranteed base salary over the next two seasons, and there is no provision in his contract for that money to be voided if he does not practice. However, the Patriots believe the collective bargaining agreement covers them because he engaged in disorderly conduct after he was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the death of Odin Lloyd” (via NFL.com).

The Patriots have settled a grievance over Aaron Hernandez's contract in 2020

The NFLPA filed a complaint against the Patriots in 2013

The Patriots received salary cap hits of $2.55 million in 2013 and $7.5 million in 2014 for waiving Hernandez, but had virtually no other choice. The National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) filed two grievances against the Patriots on Hernandez's behalf in 2013. “The complaints concern Hernandez's 2013 base salary ($1.323 million) and his 2014 salary ($1.137 million), as well as his training bonus ($500,000). which had a guarantee letter attached to his original contract, and for the final installment of his signing bonus ($3.25 million)” (via ESPN). The Patriots were not obligated to pay Hernandez's family but had to come to an agreement with the NFLPA players' union.

According to ESPN “In addition to that $4 million credit against the Patriots' cap, the club received a $2.55 million credit after resolving a long-running compensation dispute with the late Hernandez.” Hernandez's murder conviction was briefly overturned following his death by suicide in 2017, opening the door for both Hernandez's family and Odin Lloyd's family to seek compensation. When Hernandez's murder conviction was reinstated in 2019, those doors were promptly closed. The Patriots were finally able to resolve their grievances in 2020, a scene that could be depicted American sports history.

Source: Spotrac, NFL.com, ESPN