Eliot Wolf's Press Conference 8/18

[Ian]

This is done:

TRANSCRIPT: Eliot Wolf Press Conference 8/18 | PatsFans.com

Here's what Eliot Wolf had to say on Monday August 18, 2025.

www.patsfans.com

 

[JoeSixPat]

While I'm not expecting any blockbuster trades, Wolf is being pretty coy when it comes to the prospect of a McLaurin or some additional firepower to the D, so I don't rule it out. I give McLaurin a LOT of credit for what Daniels did last season and would love to see him do the same for Maye.

What's most intriguing at this stage for me is the 3rd phase of the offseason - picking up depth via camp trades/waiver wire pickups, as it's long been the Patriots way to find some good recycling projects or swap players who need a change of scene.

I'm not sure how much draft value any of the Patriots excess "talent" might fetch, but even if it's a player swap to give a potential depth player a chance to show what they got for a few weeks, it can be a win win for players and teams rather than cutting players outright.

 

[Since1960]

How ‘bout he offer Polk & Baker to the Chargers for McConkey?!

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

While I'm not expecting any blockbuster trades, Wolf is being pretty coy when it comes to the prospect of a McLaurin or some additional firepower to the D, so I don't rule it out.

Wolf is being coy because he does not know what Vrabel and Cowden are negotiating.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Wolf is being coy because he does not know what Vrabel and Cowden are negotiating.

Wolf doesn't take a s**t without asking Vrabel if he can.

 

[BobDigital]

I feel like any major move made without also addressing the IOL is kind of a waste. As for the contract... i see a lot of options. for how they make it work.

They have about 5M in cap space next year. Here is how they could make more.

Dugger - 8M
Bourne 5M
Strange 4M
Bradbury 4.5M
Jennings 4M (I like him okay, but they have depth here which should improve)

That 20.5M (less 5M for new base contracts to take the place of them). And that's without touching Onwenu's deal, which i think they will address. Either he restructures or he is gone.

They also may decide now is the time to part with Hunter Henry and save 8.5M.

So they can fit 1 big contract in next year if they decide they want to.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I feel like any major move made without also addressing the IOL is kind of a waste. As for the contract... i see a lot of options. for how they make it work.

They have about 5M in cap space next year. Here is how they will say save.

Dugger - 8M
Bourne 5M
Strange 4M
Bradbury 4.5M
Jennings 4M (I like him okay, but they have depth here which should improve)

That 20.5M (less 5M for new base contracts to take the place of them). And that's without touching Onwenu's deal, which i think they will address. Either he restructures or he is gone.

They also ma decide now is the time to part with Hunter Henry and save 8.5M.

So they can fit 1 big contract in next year if they decide they want to.

I think they will release Onwenu and save $19M. Henry is safe. That is about $35M, maybe $40M. They will also roll over about $35M from this year as well.

 

[TommyD4207]

I think they will release Onwenu and save $19M. Henry is safe. That is about $35M, maybe $40M. They will also roll over about $35M from this year as well.

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/47778/mike-onwenu

Releasing Onwenu after this year is a 7.5 mil cap hit. Yes, it's a savings of 17.5 overall, but that's a ton of money to pay for someone who's not here.

What a terrible contract. A true Wolf special. He's completely uncuttable and untradeable this year, btw. 27 million dead cap.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

One thing to add here: the Pats do sit fourth on the waiver wire until after Week 3.

 

[Ring 6]

I feel like any major move made without also addressing the IOL is kind of a waste. As for the contract... i see a lot of options. for how they make it work.

They have about 5M in cap space next year. Here is how they could make more.

Dugger - 8M
Bourne 5M
Strange 4M
Bradbury 4.5M
Jennings 4M (I like him okay, but they have depth here which should improve)

That 20.5M (less 5M for new base contracts to take the place of them). And that's without touching Onwenu's deal, which i think they will address. Either he restructures or he is gone.

They also ma decide now is the time to part with Hunter Henry and save 8.5M.

So they can fit 1 big contract in next year if they decide they want to.

They have about 45 million in cap discs next year as is. They are showing -15 next year but have 60 mill this year that carriers over.

 

[Love The Drake]

They have about 45 million in cap discs next year as is. They are showing -15 next year but have 60 mill this year that carriers over.

I think Jennings and Strange stay.

 

[Love The Drake]

I think we still would move Stevenson if things fall in line.

 

[Love The Drake]

I think we still would move Stevenson if things fall in line.

He’s not part of the future and anything that’s not part of the future should be moved.

 

[mike_usagisan]

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/47778/mike-onwenu

Releasing Onwenu after this year is a 7.5 mil cap hit. Yes, it's a savings of 17.5 overall, but that's a ton of money to pay for someone who's not here.

What a terrible contract. A true Wolf special. He's completely uncuttable and untradeable this year, btw. 27 million dead cap.

As much **** as Wolf gets for the Mayo draft, I think the contracts he gave to Duggar, Stevenson and Onwenu are equally deserving of scorn. At least Mayo was right about one thing. They burned the cash.

 

[Toofy]

I think they will release Onwenu and save $19M. Henry is safe. That is about $35M, maybe $40M. They will also roll over about $35M from this year as well.

Henry is 11 million or something against cap next year. No way Henry and hooper make team next year unless they take a big pay cut.

I am thinking diggs might also not be here.

 

[imahobgoblin]

I feel like any major move made without also addressing the IOL is kind of a waste. As for the contract... i see a lot of options. for how they make it work.

They have about 5M in cap space next year. Here is how they could make more.

Dugger - 8M
Bourne 5M
Strange 4M
Bradbury 4.5M
Jennings 4M (I like him okay, but they have depth here which should improve)

That 20.5M (less 5M for new base contracts to take the place of them). And that's without touching Onwenu's deal, which i think they will address. Either he restructures or he is gone.

They also ma decide now is the time to part with Hunter Henry and save 8.5M.

So they can fit 1 big contract in next year if they decide they want to.

Lol what are you even talking about? The $60 million we have this year carries over to next year and we have no idea what next year's cap is. Your numbers are way off too.

Spotrac
Dugger - Cut: $1,014,706; Trade: $10,764,706
Bourne - Cut: $6,300,000; Trade:$ 6,300,000
Strange - Cut: $0; Trade: $2,376,269
Bradbury - Cut: $4,700,000; Trade: $4,700,000
Jennings - Cut: $2,955,882; Trade: $4,305,882

If we cannot trade Dugger, the value in his cut will be next year at $12.5 million. They will be tempted to keep him if there is no trade partner and an injury pops up this week. I think Bourne is gone, but we don't know his knee status. He may be IR, which would mean we keep his salary. Depending on the severity, a cut could mean an injury settlement. I think Strange is gone. Cutting Bradbury makes no sense. They just signed him and he is at least serviceable when healthy. Jennings just had a great game, but we will see his status this week. It is ludicrous to move on from Hunter Henry. That would leave one TE (Hooper) and one FB (Westover). Bell is not making this team.

I am skeptical we can open $20 million with your suggestions. The key is trading Dugger.

 

[WhatJustHappened]

Henry is 11 million or something against cap next year. No way Henry and hooper make team next year unless they take a big pay cut.

I am thinking diggs might also not be here.

What do you think good TE's make these days?
Why will Diggs not be here?

 

[PatsFan2]

Henry is 11 million or something against cap next year. No way Henry and hooper make team next year unless they take a big pay cut.

I am thinking diggs might also not be here.

Get off the ledge Toof: Diggs contract will be a bargain two years from now. He'll put up 1000yds this year if healthy.

 

[TomPatriot]

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/47778/mike-onwenu

Releasing Onwenu after this year is a 7.5 mil cap hit. Yes, it's a savings of 17.5 overall, but that's a ton of money to pay for someone who's not here.

What a terrible contract. A true Wolf special. He's completely uncuttable and untradeable this year, btw. 27 million dead cap.

They’re not releasing Onwenu. Still their best OL when he’s at RG.

 

[PatsFan2]

How ‘bout he offer Polk & Baker to the Chargers for McConkey?!

Chargers GM.