Another free-agent spending splurge should be coming next season
The Patriots’ 2023 season has been a slog, but this upcoming offseason should be one of the most exciting in franchise history.
Even dismissing potential changes the Patriots could be making on their coaching staff, they have a ton of salary-cap space, needs across their roster and a requirement to spend cold hard cash.
For more on what the Patriots need to spend this offseason, read on to this week’s mailbag.
They definitely should. They have to spend a certain amount of money to hit the NFL’s cash-spending floor over a certain period. The new CBA “requires teams to spend 90% of the salary cap each year within specific three or four-year periods,” per OverTheCap.com.
The first span was from 2017-20, then there was one from 2021-23 and now the next one is from 2024-26. So, the Patriots will need to spend up to 90% of the salary cap in cash from 202426. Cash spending is money actually handed out during the season. Cap spending includes money already handed out that has been prorated over a number of years.
The salary cap is projected to be around $240 million in 2024. The Patriots are only set to spend $117,955,099 in cash for 2024.
So, to not set themselves back too far, the Patriots should be spending a lot of cash this offseason, which means signing a lot of contracts and handing out hefty signing bonuses. To reach 90% of the projected 2024 salary cap, the Patriots would need to spend over $98 million in cash this offseason for $216 million total.
In 2021, the Patriots spent $237,949,275 in cash compared to $182,500,000, which was 130% of the cap. If the Patriots were going to take a similar approach this offseason, that would mean spending $194,044,901 more in cash for $312,000,000 total.
OverTheCap.com projects the Patriots as having $75.3 million in cap space entering next offseason. That’s thirdmost below the Titans and Commanders.
Not that they need to, but there are ways to clear even more cap space by clearing out some veteran contracts, as well. And if a new regime takes over, then it’s possible that some of the veteran players currently on the roster won’t fit a new scheme.
The Patriots have been awful this season, so it’s fair to assume that they won’t be overly competitive in 2024 either. But if they make the smart move and select a rookie quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft, then it’s best to put solid pieces around him to properly assess what they have in a young signal caller. Teams should try to build around a quarterback on a rookie contract because they’re so cheap compared to veteran options.
It all depends on who’s running the show to decide on the best fits available in free agency, but a young wide receiver like Tee Higgins would make a ton of sense to sign next offseason. Other top wide receivers include Michael Pittman, Marquise Brown, Gabriel Davis, Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd.
Tyron Smith and Jonah Williams are available at offensive tackle. Brian Burns and Josh Allen are the top available edge defenders. And grabbing a defender like defensive tackles Justin Madubuike or Christian Wilkins, or cornerback Jaylon Johnson would certainly give the unit a boost.
There are worthy free agents available out there and a ton of money to be spent in New England.
@Taco_Stevep With all the cap space they have this offseason, do you see the patriots spending like they did in the 2021 offseason?
@AlexDaAverage With Malik gone do you see the Pats adding Grier or any other QB to the PS?
Will Grier is already on the practice squad, so the Patriots do have three quarterbacks in practice. The team has three practice squad spots, and I wouldn’t be surprised if those stay open barring any major injuries. Signing a player to the practice squad just eats up salary cap space that can be carried over.
With the Patriots out of playoff contention, there’s no reason to sign a player just to sign him at this point.
@GoldEP_ Are there any connection between Ben Johnson and the pats? Really hoping we get a new hc
There are some ties between the Patriots and the Lions offensive coordinator. He worked with former Patriots assistant quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree during his time with the Dolphins from 2016-18. Former Patriots offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo was also on that staff.
Johnson was also an offensive assistant under former Patriots defensive coordinator/offensive line coach Matt Patricia with the Lions in 2019. Current Patriots assistant quarterbacks
coach Evan Rothstein and assistant offensive line coach Billy Yates were also on that staff.
Johnson also began his coaching career locally at Boston College.
I don’t know of any other connections between Johnson and the Patriots, but being on Patricia’s staff for two years is a pretty solid one.
If the Patriots are willing to look outside of the organization and want to hire an offensive-minded head coach, then Johnson is definitely an intriguing candidate.
@MrewPichael Is it even somewhat possible Bill returns as HC but not GM?
I don’t know. The only person who knows if that’s a possibility is Bill Belichick.
I know there’s a faction of Patriots fans who want to start over after this season, and that’s understandable. But the team could still be good with Belichick as head coach leading the defense, someone else taking over more power in personnel and after acquiring a young, talented quarterback with rare traits.
But that becoming a possibility would depend on a number of factors. Would Robert Kraft want Belichick back? And would Belichick be willing to give up final say in personnel?