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New England Patriots: Team wins again with Patrick Chung’s contract

By Matty Simo

Nov 8, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots free safety Devin McCourty (32) reacts with New England Patriots strong safety Patrick Chung (23) after a play against the Washington Redskins in the second half at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Redskins 27-10. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots free safety Devin McCourty (32) reacts with New England Patriots strong safety Patrick Chung (23) after a play against the Washington Redskins in the second half at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Redskins 27-10. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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Patrick Chung was one of the unsung players in the secondary for the New England Patriots in 2016. So they are smart for offering him incentives in 2017.

Early Saturday, ESPN’s Field Yates reported that the New England Patriots are giving safety Patrick Chung the chance to earn a big raise. Chung had one of his best seasons in 2016, totaling 91 tackles and starting all 16 games for the second time in three years.

Chung had signed a contract extension through 2018 last year. Now he can pick up an even bigger bonus. Details of the incentives have not yet been revealed. But the Patriots cannot really lose with this deal, as they continue to use incentives to their advantage.

Last month, New England gave Rob Gronkowski the opportunity to become the NFL’s highest-paid tight end. Unlike Chung — who has missed one game since re-joining the team — Gronkowski has been plagued by injuries though. Gronk has not played a full regular season since 2011, his second year in the league.

Next: Matt Patricia Starting Over With Defense in 2017

The Patriots know they need to keep the key members of their secondary intact and on the field together. They are simply rewarding Chung for his continued hard work, dedication and durability, if he keeps playing at this level. That’s the best-case scenario for both parties.

Of course there is a chance that Chung reverts back to how he performed at the end of his first stint in New England. However, if that does happen, the team will obviously save a lot of money and further develop younger players like Duron Harmon regardless. This deal is just another reason why the Pats are the best organization in sports right now.

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