Stephen Holder

stephen.holder@indystar.com

INDIANAPOLIS – Colts tight end Jack Doyle’s new contract will give him the pay raise he’s been seeking but with a team-friendly structure.

Doyle agreed to a three-year contract extension Tuesday night, keeping him with the only team for which he has played in his four-year career.

Details of the contract obtained by IndyStar reflect that the deal has a base value of $18.9 million over three seasons, with a maximum of $21 million after possible incentives. Of that sum, $9.5 million is guaranteed, with $7.5 million of that total being fully guaranteed (meaning guaranteed for skill, injury and cap purposes).

The deal is favorable for the Colts in one important respect: It contains very little guaranteed money beyond 2017. In a worst-case scenario – say Doyle grossly underperforms this fall and the Colts decide to part ways – the Colts owe him no money in 2018.

Doyle is scheduled to earn $8 million in 2017, of which $7.5 million is fully guaranteed. His 2017 base salary is $1 million, he receives a roster bonus of $6.5 million on Friday and Doyle can earn another $500,000 depending on the number of games he is on the active roster..

in 2018, Doyle will earn a base salary of $3.5 million, a $1.25 million roster bonus payable if he’s on the roster on the fifth day of the league year (early March), and another $500,000 in per-game roster bonuses.

In 2019, Doyle’s base salary is $5.15 million and he can earn another $500,000 in per-game roster bonuses.

To max out the deal at $21 million, Doyle will have to achieve his maximum $1.05 million in escalators in both 2018 and 2019. Those incentives include benchmarks for receptions, touchdowns and Pro Bowl selections.

Doyle’s base salaries are quite manageable because the deal does not contain a signing bonus (which avoids proration over the lifetime of the contract). The big hit comes this year, with $8 million against the cap. In 2018, Doyle’s cap number is $5.25 million and $5.65 million in 2019.

TIGHT ENDS BY SALARY

Jack Doyle currently has the 16th-highest salary among tight ends.

Salary information from overthecap.com.