Pats must gain salary cap space
As the Patriots set their financial parameters for a crucial offseason, they’ll keep one eye on the 2018 season and another on 2019.
The Patriots currently set up with a projected $14 million in cap space, so long as the 2018 salary cap hits $178 million. That doesn’t leave much flexibility, especially in comparison to the $65 million allotted toward their 2017 frenzy.
However, the Pats have some easy ways to create another $25 million in spending money. They’ll need that cap space for two reasons or, perhaps, two seasons.
Aside from cornerback Malcolm Butler’s expected departure, the Patriots’ free agents are highlighted by left tackle Nate Solder, running backs Dion Lewis and Rex Burkhead, slot receiver Danny Amendola, special teamers Matthew Slater, Nate Ebner and Johnson Bademosi, and backup tackles LaAdrian Waddle and Cameron Fleming.
A year from now, they’ll brace for a group of free agents who include defensive end Trey Flowers, wide receivers Brandin Cooks and Chris Hogan, right guard Shaq Mason, safety Patrick Chung and kicker Stephen Gostkowski. Defensive tackle Malcom Brown’s contract runs through 2018, but the Patriots can exercise his fifthyear option, projected to be worth $7 million through 2019, in the coming months.
But first, there’s an avenue to free up more cap space. They can release tight ends Martellus Bennett ($6.19 million in savings) and Dwayne Allen ($5 million), defensive tackle Alan Branch ($3.55 million) and linebacker David Harris ($2.13 million) to create $16.87 million. Bennett ($2 million) and Branch ($1 million) are owed significant roster bonuses by March 14, so those moves could happen quickly.
From there, they could cut loose linebacker Shea McClellin ($2.35 million), running back Mike Gillislee ($2.18 million) and wide receiver Kenny Britt ($1.45 million) to gain an additional $5.98 million. McClellin’s season was wiped out due to two concussions, and Gillislee and Britt could still go to camp to compete for jobs before the Pats decide their fate.
If the Patriots need to search between the couch cushions for some extra space, they could find it by releasing safety Jordan Richards ($941,120), defensive end Geneo Grissom ($720,000) and wide receiver Bernard Reedy ($555,000) for $2.22 million, giving them $39 million for the offseason.
There’s also the matter of Tom Brady’s contract. The Patriots and their quarterback already had discussions a year ago regarding an extension. With back-toback cap hits of $22 million in 2018 and 2019, an extension could theoretically open about $2 million in savings, pending the structure of the deal.
Finally, the Patriots have to account for tight end Rob Gronkowski. If he retires, the Pats would save $6.9 million against the cap, but that could cause them to rethink Bennett, who said in November he wasn’t sure if he’d keep playing.
As for the current free agents, Lewis plans to test free agency unless the Patriots offer $10 million guaranteed as part of a three-year deal in the range of $15 million to $18 million. The early vibe is that he’ll be playing elsewhere.
The real question surrounds Solder, who is coming off a team-friendly, twoyear, $20 million contract. Will he accept something similar or test the open market where he could garner a four-year, $48 million offer?
Slater, Amendola, Burkhead and Ebner shouldn’t break the bank, so all seem like decent bets to return for between $2 million to $3 million annually.
Really, the big money will be devoted toward Solder and maybe Lewis, then they’ll focus on Flowers, Mason, Brown and Cooks. The expectation is all will enter an early round of contract discussions by the end of the summer.
Looking outside the organization, there are some intriguing free agents who could fit the Patriots’ mold: running backs Carlos Hyde, Jerick McKinnon and Darren Sproles; wide receiver Jarvis Landry; tight ends Jimmy Graham, Trey Burton and Tyler Eifert; edge rushers Adrian Clayborn and Trent Murphy; defensive tackles Nick Fairley and Dontari Poe; and linebackers Zach Brown, Nigel Bradham and Paul Worrilow. If cornerbacks Richard Sherman and Aqib Talib are released, expect them to receive phone calls from the Patriots as well.
The Patriots surely have to shore up some defensive weaknesses, and have the means to do it. But they also need to ensure they’ve got enough assets to secure an ever better group of free agents a year from now. That’s the balance to try to strike in the near future.