upstater1
Hall of Fame Poster
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The Pats can't really get a whole lot higher than $30M without another Brady restructure-extension. Even then, getting to $30M probably entails cutting both Allen and Bennett and leaving a major hole at TE - in a short-supply market for good, experienced TEs (especially those who can block well) - while Gronk is still contemplating his future in football.
Retaining Solder is likely to take about $10M of the $30M in 2018 cap space. So, now they're down to around $20M.
They need to have around $5M to cover the 2018 cap hits of the rookie class, and need to sock away between $5M - $10M for in-season injury emergency coverage (they spent over $12M in 2017).
IOW, they sign Solder, and they have about $5M-$10M left for re-signing:
Amendola
Fleming/Waddle
Lewis/Burkhead
Marquis Flowers
Ebner/Slater
.
.
.
Cutting Bennett and Allen is a no brainer.
Who cares about TE depth and 2nd and 3rd stringers if your QB is on his butt or worse, injured. LT is a premium position.