The Patriots signed cornerback Brandon Browner to a three-year contract, and here are the specific details, which add important context:

Total value: $12.35 million

Maximum value: $16.8 million

Signing bonus: $0

2014

Base: $1 million (guaranteed)

Offseason workout bonus: $250,000

Roster bonus: $500,000 for making the 53-man roster at any point during the season (just has to be on it for one day and he sees this)

Second roster bonus: $150,000 per game he's on the 46-man roster

Playtime incentives: Up to $1.25 million

2015

Base: $1.9 million

Roster bonus: $2 million (90-man roster at start of league year)

Second roster bonus: $100,000 per game he’s on the 46-man roster

Playtime incentives: Up to $500,000 ($250k for 75 percent playing time; another $250k for 85 percent playing time)

2016

Base: $1.9 million

Roster bonus: $2 million (90-man roster at start of league year)

Second roster bonus: $100,000 per game he’s on the 46…

Playtime incentives: Up to $500,000 ($250k for 75 percent playing time; another $250k for 85 percent playing time)

QUICK-HIT THOUGHTS: From a team perspective, the guaranteed financial commitment is just $1 million (base salary for 2014). Everything else Browner earns will be based on performance and participation in the offseason program. A key marker in the contract is the $2 million roster/option bonus for Browner if he’s on the 90-man roster at the start of the 2015 league year. This contract is a bit different from the norm because of Browner's suspension, which, based on the language and clauses of the contract, was clearly a consideration in negotiating the deal.