Packers RT Zach Tom receives record-setting signing bonus in new 4-year deal

The Green Bay Packers and right tackle Zach Tom agreed to a four-year contract extension on Monday, and the one part of the deal is believed to be record-setting for his position group.

According to both NFL.com and ESPN, the $30.2 million signing bonus in Tom's four-year extension is the most ever given to an offensive lineman in NFL history.

Tom's bonus just barely beats the $30 million signing bonuses in deals previously signed by Laremy Tunsil and David Bakhtiari at offensive tackle.

The Packers favor big signing bonuses in veteran contracts because the amount is allowed to be prorated over the length of the deal. Tom's $30.2 million, for instance, will be prorated across the remaining five years of his contract, given his four-year extension is being tacked onto the final year of his rookie deal. This cap mechanism gives the player a big chunk of money up front and lowers the salary cap hit on the front end for the team.

This is the second straight summer in which the Packers have agreed to a record-breaking bonus. In July of last year, the Packers and Jordan Love set a new NFL record with a $75 million signing bonus.

The deal is worth $88 million over four years. Tom's $22 million per year average in new money will rank him fourth among all right tackles, trailing only Penei Sewell, Tristan Wirfs and Lane Johnson.

Of Tom's 39 career starts, 34 have come at right tackle, including all 17 games during each of the last two seasons. He has five-position potential, but the new contract strongly suggests he'll remain at right tackle for the foreseeable future.

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers RT Zach Tom receives record-setting signing bonus in new 4-year deal