The Patriots have over $42 million of their 2013 cap space allocated to three players. So much for the theory about spreading cap space throughout the entire roster. Right now the Pats have about $18 million to spend, but need to either re-sign or replace Welker, Talib, Vollmer, Woodhead, Edelman, Thomas, Arrington, Chung, White, Pryor, Cole, Branch, Scott, and Stallworth, sign the draftees, have some money available for signing bonuses to vet free agents that may not make the team, and another $5 million or so in reserve to use if needed during the season.
Perhaps the elephant in the room question that nobody wants to bring up is this: if Tom Brady wants to win another Super Bowl, will he extend or restructure at a discounted rate, so that money can be used to build a better supporting cast? Should the Pats tactfully bring the subject up? If so, how would he react?
For example, Brady has a great rapport with Welker and presumably would prefer for him to stay. Whatever the difference between the two sides is, would Brady lower his salary by that amount to keep Welker in Foxboro?
Top 2013 New England Patriots cap numbers:
$21,800,000 -- Tom Brady
$10,600,000 -- Vince Wilfork
$10,000,000 -- Logan Mankins
Brady is signed through 2014; his base salary is $9,750,000 in 2013 and the same in 2014; his cap number is the also the same for both seasons.
Wilfork is signed through 2014; his base salaries are $6,500,000 in 2013 and $7,500,000 in 2014; his cap number next year is $11,608,000.
Mankins is signed through 2016. His base salaries are $5,750,000 in 2013, $6,250,000 in 2014, $6,750,000 in 2015 and $6,750,000 in 2016. Mankins' cap numbers are $10,500,000 in 2014, $11,000,000 in 2015, and $7,000,000 in 2016.