Why is Shaq Mason worth $23.5 million guaranteed? Just ask his teammates

FOXBOROUGH — Size. Strength. Speed. And smarts. You talk to the guys who go up against him in practice every day — the Patriots’ defensive linemen — and they’ll tell you that right guard Shaq Mason has it all.

That’s why they weren’t shocked to hear about Mason’s new contract, a deal that could keep him with the Patriots for another five years, one that reportedly includes $23.5 million in guaranteed money and was announced the day before his 25th birthday.

“It’s a pleasure going against him,” defensive lineman Lawrence Guy said of Mason. “Iron sharpens iron.”

One of the most durable offensive linemen in the league the last two years — he’s played more than 90 percent of the snaps since the start of the 2016 season — he’s been as dependable as they come.

“He’s an all-around offensive guard,” added teammate Trey Flowers. “He gets the job done.”

“I mean, you guys watch the film, right? That’s all you need to know,” laughed Guy.

In the wake of the news, it’s one thing for us to try and break down Mason’s game. And the Georgia Tech product is lacking when it comes to a self-promotional gene. (He doesn’t grant interviews — he endures them.) To get the real story, we went to his counterparts on the defensive side of the ball — the guys who are occasionally the nail to Mason’s hammer. After practice on Monday, Guy, Flowers, Adam Butler and Danny Shelton were eager to talk about Mason and what makes him such a special offensive lineman.

When describing the 6-foot-1, 310-pounder, Butler says Mason is a wrecking ball of a blocker who moves with a quickness that belies his size and strength.

“A double team from him and (right tackle) Marcus (Cannon) is one of the worst things I’ve ever experienced in my career,” Butler said of Mason. “Shaq is so low and he’s so strong and so heavy, if you deal with him … first of all, it’s already a challenge dealing with him because of all those factors. Whenever you try and get low, he’s going to get lower than you. You’re not going to win the leverage battle with him.

“But really, what makes him so good is that he’s just an athletic as a tight end. He has the feet of a tight end, but he’s an offensive lineman. He’s big. There have been plenty of times where I’ve felt like I have a good rush move on him. I’ve cleared his hip and everything. And somehow, he manages to get right back in front of me. I don’t know how he does it. His ability to move his feet and get back in front of people is really what makes him very good.”