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For purposes of discussion:
The current NFL salary cap is $188 million and is expected to increase by $8 million next year. The Patriots are projected to have $49 million in cap space, which sounds good until you consider that both Indy and Miami will be $100 million under. Also, Buffalo will be $89 million under, Baltimore $48 million, the Jete $53 million, etc. Signing the team's own important free agents and competing in the marketplace will be a challenge.
Tom Brady's contract is $23 million and retaining him for 2020 likely will be north of that, perhaps significantly. With so many high-profile free agents on the team, aging guys like Edelman, etc. and a brutal schedule, next season is shaping up to be a pivotal retooling campaign no matter what -- perhaps the most "transitional" year of BB's tenure including prospective key front office and coaching departures (Caserio, McDaniels).
The argument FOR moving on from Brady is strong because: (1) his quality of play no longer is "elite," as in being a prime difference maker, (2) his contract money arguably could be put to better use shoring up other positions, (3) the roster might not be strong enough across the board to benefit from Brady's leadership and experience and (4) the team must establish a new identity to be competitive post-Brady.
My primary concern is that for Brady to be effective in 2020, he will need a much stronger supporting cast (skill players) than he has now AND a more solid OL in front of him PLUS a strong defense that won't force the offense into playing catch-up -- something vintage Brady was capable of overcoming. With crucial transitional moves looming both organizationally and with player personnel, accomplishing that appears doubtful. Last year the pieces were in place for Brady, this year they COULD have been if not for bad luck (injuries, AB fiasco). Next year, things look pretty nebulous.
The current NFL salary cap is $188 million and is expected to increase by $8 million next year. The Patriots are projected to have $49 million in cap space, which sounds good until you consider that both Indy and Miami will be $100 million under. Also, Buffalo will be $89 million under, Baltimore $48 million, the Jete $53 million, etc. Signing the team's own important free agents and competing in the marketplace will be a challenge.
Tom Brady's contract is $23 million and retaining him for 2020 likely will be north of that, perhaps significantly. With so many high-profile free agents on the team, aging guys like Edelman, etc. and a brutal schedule, next season is shaping up to be a pivotal retooling campaign no matter what -- perhaps the most "transitional" year of BB's tenure including prospective key front office and coaching departures (Caserio, McDaniels).
The argument FOR moving on from Brady is strong because: (1) his quality of play no longer is "elite," as in being a prime difference maker, (2) his contract money arguably could be put to better use shoring up other positions, (3) the roster might not be strong enough across the board to benefit from Brady's leadership and experience and (4) the team must establish a new identity to be competitive post-Brady.
My primary concern is that for Brady to be effective in 2020, he will need a much stronger supporting cast (skill players) than he has now AND a more solid OL in front of him PLUS a strong defense that won't force the offense into playing catch-up -- something vintage Brady was capable of overcoming. With crucial transitional moves looming both organizationally and with player personnel, accomplishing that appears doubtful. Last year the pieces were in place for Brady, this year they COULD have been if not for bad luck (injuries, AB fiasco). Next year, things look pretty nebulous.
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