Patriots Chukwuma Okorafor Contract Details Revealed

Full contract details have been released for recently signed New England Patriots offensive tackle Chukwuma Okorafor.
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The New England Patriots jumpstarted their free agency period Thursday, signing former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Chukwuma Okorafor.

Now, the details of Okorafor's contract have been revealed.

According to ESPN, the Patriots signed Okorafor to a one-year contract with a base value of $4 million, though it could reach up to $8.25 million.

Okorafor received a $2 million signing bonus, fully guaranteed $1.125 million salary, $40,000 in roster bonuses that can reach $680,000, a workout bonus of $195,000 and playtime incentives up to $4.25 million, according to KPRC Houston.

Oct 30, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Chukwuma Okorafor (76) blocks Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham (55) at Lincoln Financial Field / Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The 26-year-old Okorafor was initially slated to earn $9.75 million in 2024, the last season of a three-year, $29.25 million contract he signed with Pittsburgh in 2022.

A third-round pick out of Western Michigan in 2018, Okorafor spent the first two years of his career as a backup, playing in 14 games with four starts.

He ascended into a starting role in 2020, which he held through Week 7 of this past season, when first-round rookie Broderick Jones replaced him at right tackle.

At the time, Okorafor had started 57 consecutive games, including the postseason.

This past season, the 6-6, 320-pound Okorafor was called for eight penalties in seven starts while allowing two sacks, per Pro Football Focus. He earned an overall grade of 60.4.

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In New England, Okorafor appears poised to provide depth at tackle, with the upside in his contract meaning there's a chance he gets an occasional start.

Regardless, Okorafor brings a seasoned veteran presence to the Patriots' offensive line ahead of the start of free agency, which begins Monday, March 11, with the legal tampering period.



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Daniel Flick
DANIEL FLICK

Daniel Flick is an accredited NFL writer for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Daniel has provided boots-on-ground coverage at the NFL Combine and from the Atlanta Falcons' headquarters, among other destinations, and contributed to the annual Lindy's Sports Magazine ahead of the 2023 offseason. Daniel is a co-host on the 404TheFalcon podcast and previously wrote for the Around the Block Network and Georgia Sports Hospitality Media.