Cap Space

One-If-By-Sea said:

Did you mean "bargain shopping"? Vets at the minimum?

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Getting vets at close to minimum should also prevent any necessary sweetening of Newton's deal.

In a season as full of uncertainty as this year it seems to me like the way to go would be avoid big contracts and reassess where things are next season when a lot of teams need to shed some cap space anyway.

masterbouncer said:

Its decreasing the cap for next year, since all the cap (including this years prorated signing bonus) is being moved to 2021 cap, so it would be wise to roll over something and do not spend everything. Even if (opt-out) players quit or are being released next spring you'd take up quite some dead cap (more than it has been estimated so far).

That being said, the Patriots will still have some cap space next year but it most probably won't be around the estimated 60M rather around 40M or less, waiting on @Miguel to confirm his numbers for next year cap based on this new information.

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Miguel just confirmed my above statement. Assuming 175M Cap space for 2021, NE will have ~39M Cap to spend before any restructure, extensions, cuts or roll over.

ChrisR2223 said:

Please go get OBJ

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Why do you not get that a large part of that will vanish magically next year? Along with an almost certain sharp drop in the cap? I'd rather they /weren't/ one of the teams that will be jettisoning players frantically to try and get under.

rochrist said:

Why do you not get that a large part of that will vanish magically next year? Along with an almost certain sharp drop in the cap? I'd rather they /weren't/ one of the teams that will be jettisoning players frantically to try and get under.

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Don't think it will happen but to play devil's advocate.. projections are that the Browns will be about 9M under the cap if things stay at 175M. What if you could get OBJ in what is essentially a salary dump trade for a pick swap or late day 3 pick ?

He still has a 14-15M cap hit but unless they extend Newton that would also coincide with Stidham's rookie deal.

That being said forget OBJ specifically but that kind of approach is what I'd be looking at. Teams that are way over the cap (or just barely under) and see what player you could get for next to nothing with his signing bonus staying with the old team.

It’s simple OBJ has praised Belichick and has worked out and has a relationship with Cam and Jules
Trade for the beast

Expect at least one, one year deal bc of the cap space & opt outs. Clowney would be quite relief after the opt outs & losses in FA.

HT lined up on the line, over the nose towards the end of last year. Esstenially a DT to knife through to disrupt the run game. Esp outside - stretch plays. Said it before, not the same position but would help in a lot of the same areas.

TommyBrady12 said:

With 35 million in cap space, maybe a little shopping?

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Maybe trade for Brady since they can now afford him

I mean if people are afraid that the money is going to disappear then I don't see the issue regarding bringing Clowney in for a year.

Or sign them to a two year deal at a really high salary this year, with a much lower salary next year. Kind of the opposite of what is usually done.

Hope they get some veteran linebacker help, cause we lost all 3 of our starting LBs and that is tough for any defense to overcome

JarOfMayo51 said:

Hope they get some veteran linebacker help, cause we lost all 3 of our starting LBs and that is tough for any defense to overcome

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ILBs with contracts on teams that will be over the salary cap next year who stand out a bit:

Deion Jones (Falcons) ~6.3M (~8.6M next)
Eric Kendricks (Vikings) ~ 7-8M
Danny Trevathan (Bears) ~ 3M

Not much out there if you want to try to take advantage of COVID cap hit decreases. Trevathan would seem like a potential trade target given that he is a veteran and relatively cheap.

The other two are long shots but given their respective teams' cap situation its worth a call.

Was just a quick browse through..

luuked said:

ILBs on contracts with teams that will be over the salary cap next year that stand out a bit:

Deion Jones (Falcons) ~6.3M (~8.6M next)
Eric Kendricks (Vikings) ~ 7-8M
Danny Trevathan (Bears) ~ 3M

Not much out there if you want to try to take advantage of COVID cap hit decreases. Trevathan would seem like a potential trade target given that he is a veteran and relatively cheap.

The other two are long shots but given their respective teams' cap situation its worth a call.

Was just a quick browse through..

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I wouldn't turn down any of those guys right now

Really any solid veteran they bring it would help provide competition and leadership. They've drafted a few young prospects that have a lot of potential, but are young and need experience. Its a shame that most of our veteran LBs have been lost to free agency or opt outs, just the knowledge and leadership alone would have been incredibly valuable for our young guys

At least we have Mayo on the coaching staff, and hopefully Hightower still meets up with the younger Lbs over video conference or something just to coach them up and help them grow. Wonder what the rules are around that, if he wanted to I wonder if he could teleconference into a Linebacker meeting and participate virtually?

Nothing wrong with him video conferencing with his teammates in their own time too

JarOfMayo51 said:

Wonder what the rules are around that, if he wanted to I wonder if he could teleconference into a Linebacker meeting and participate virtually?

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He could attend meetings while he was on IR in 2017 so I am not sure why he can't participate virtually. The better question is if he would do that given that he is not really paid for this year.

rochrist said:

Why do you not get that a large part of that will vanish magically next year? Along with an almost certain sharp drop in the cap? I'd rather they /weren't/ one of the teams that will be jettisoning players frantically to try and get under.

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Teams aren't going to spend large gobs of the money that is getting freed up by players opting out. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Patriots carry over 25M this season. That will help offset some of the money being pushed back.

DaBruinz said:

Teams aren't going to spend large gobs of the money that is getting freed up by players opting out. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Patriots carry over 25M this season. That will help offset some of the money being pushed back.

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I agree.
I even marked your post a winner.
However, I would note that we absolutely MUST sign a LB or 2, as well as an OL, and probably a TE.

mgteich said:

I agree.
I even marked your post a winner.
However, I would note that we absolutely MUST sign a LB or 2, as well as an OL, and probably a TE.

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That's why I said $25M and not $35M.

I think we may see the return of Newhouse, but for the Right side. Unless Cajuste and Onwenu really impress.

honestly this kind of sucks for the teams.

Players are going to be a year older, and a year out of football shape, but expected to pay the players their contracts, and take cap hits a year later then expected.

chasa said:

honestly this kind of sucks for the teams.

Players are going to be a year older, and a year out of football shape, but expected to pay the players their contracts, and take cap hits a year later then expected.

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The only difference is that the money is pushed back a year. Otherwise, it's no different than a player being injured in TC and spending the year on IR.

Hightower, Chung and Cannon might have played their last game as a Patriot. And they might be OK with that. After a replacement fits in this year, are they worth the money next year? I think all three are a bit older and were not moving as well as previously. I saw 2020 as possibly the last year for all three before they opted out.

Now that the opt-out deadline has passed, I assume BB will sign a few guys. LB, Oline, Dline, maybe TE or FB? 3 guys? 4? Probably spend $10M to $15M I am guessing and carry over the rest.