Polk is toast, right?

[Family]

He got a $9.7 million contract with a $3.8 million signing bonus. His guarantees are nothing at this point. Maybe like $4 million-ish for being under contract for the next three years.

It's 6.5 million that they can spread out if they cut him.

But what team will trade for that?

Perhaps we eat most of the contract, and swap 7th rounders, but Polk has no value.

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/90369/jalynn-polk

 

[Triumph]

This looks mostly right.

New England Patriots 2025 NFL Depth Chart - ESPN

Check out the 2025 New England Patriots NFL depth chart on ESPN. Includes full details on starters, second, third and fourth tier Patriots players.

www.espn.com

Diggs - Vrabel raves about him getting better and better as preseason goes on.
Pop - Solid steady player who should see more opportunities.
Williams - 3rd round picks aren't going anywhere year 1. Needs reps.
Hollins - Will spell Williams and Boutte. 6' - 4" for matchups vs short DBs.
Boutte - He has done enough to make it, but needs to keep on improving.
Chism - Not Bourne. Unless a WR via roster cuts comes along to where the Pats cant say no.

Basically a totally new NE WR corps with the exception of Boutte and Pop.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Patsfan2 changed his mind? No way. I don't believe it..

I don’t have any problem with anyone changing their mind, that’s normal. What’s hilarious about PF2 is how he acted like he hated the pick from the moment it was made, which many here did, but when I went back to the Draft Forum to see where he stood on Polk for the draft it was one of the receivers he wanted them to pick.

As far as the Polk pick goes I was fine during the offseason with giving him another shot this season, however he simply hasn’t earned it, and he’s been surpassed by other prospects to the point where even Baker is more deserving of a shot than he is. And I don’t think that the fact that he was a high second round pick should come into consideration when they make the final cuts. You get what you earn, and the only thing Polk has earned is his walking papers.

 

[Huckleberry1]

IMO, because a couple of the Pats' WRs on the 53 this year are over 32 years old, it makes some sense to hold him on IR for a year to guard against these older guys falling off. Let's say Hollins loses a step by the end of the year, they can cut him in favor of Polk in 2026 and save $4M in cap.

I don’t think Polk is injured badly enough to go on IR for the season, and I don’t believe he wants to be here. I think it will be an injury settlement and release.

 

[Ross12]

I don’t think Polk is injured badly enough to go on IR for the season, and I don’t believe he wants to be here. I think it will be an injury settlement and release.

It's a tricky spot. That's what makes me think, especially because he has not gone on IR yet, that he will be held off IR until cutdown day and then be designated as one of the two IR-DTR candidates. That way, as long as he gets healthy by mid-October or so, he can come back on the roster. And if there's no room for him still, he can be a mid-season trade chip as he would be healthy again by then. Other teams with injuries at WR may be interested.

 

[mgteich]

Someone added a poll.

The choices are not exclusive or clear.

I agree that he will never make the 53 (the first choice0.

I agree that he will be put on IR. I don't know if he will return later.

 

[Steve102]

Believe it or not he did love Polk and Baker at draft time, but then turned on them when the season started. He railed about Wolf, but failed to mention he wanted them in the draft.

I have the receipts. He was all about them both of them until just before the Redskins Commanders game.

Isn't that right @PatsFan2 Your Worshipfulness?

 

[PatsFan2]

I have the receipts. He was all about them both of them until just before the Redskins Commanders game.

Isn't that right @PatsFan2 Your Worshipfulness?

I'm alive.

 

[PatsFan2]

Waiting for that Eight Round Conditional for Polk.

 

[mayoclinic]

I was a big fan of Polk at UWashington. He had the reputation of being a "dog". I had concerns about his ability to separate, but thought he would become a good possession receiver, upside a poor man's Keenan Allen. I had a late 2nd/early third grade on him; wasn't thrilled at #37, especially with Coooer DeJean available, but thought he would become a good player.

16 months later ... hasn't worked out. He appears to be damaged goods, both physically and mentally. Injuries, some bad coaching, shattered confidence. Only way I can see him recovering at all is with a fresh start somewhere else - too much baggage in NE. If someone wants to trade a shave and a shine for him, I'm all for it, though I don't see it as likely.

 

[Huckleberry1]

It's a tricky spot. That's what makes me think, especially because he has not gone on IR yet, that he will be held off IR until cutdown day and then be designated as one of the two IR-DTR candidates. That way, as long as he gets healthy by mid-October or so, he can come back on the roster. And if there's no room for him still, he can be a mid-season trade chip as he would be healthy again by then. Other teams with injuries at WR may be interested.

You could be right, I have just had the feeling for a while that Polk simply doesn’t want to be here.

 

[Ross12]

You could be right, I have just had the feeling for a while that Polk simply doesn’t want to be here.

I don’t think that personally. The kid went to Maye’s throwing camp over the summer and had a few productive days in camp before hurting himself again. I haven’t heard of any new issues this summer.

 

[The Gr8est]

But it's a qb ... Whereas Polk has just not shown any inclination or propensity to get open or be healthy . Why give anything higher than 6th or 7th. It could be a player swap for all we know.

If Polk was some other team’s bust how much would you want to trade for him?

 

[Toofy]

If Polk was some other team’s bust how much would you want to trade for him?

6th or 7th at best .

 

[PatsfanTN]

Toast. Not even the avocado kind either.

 

[fnordcircle]

I don’t have any problem with anyone changing their mind, that’s normal. What’s hilarious about PF2 is how he acted like he hated the pick from the moment it was made, which many here did, but when I went back to the Draft Forum to see where he stood on Polk for the draft it was one of the receivers he wanted them to pick.

Doing forensic analysis on someone's draft posts on the internet definitely seems like a healthy perspective.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Polk is on a rookie contract. The full guarantee language in them is part of the CBA

OK, I just looked it up. There is no blanket guarantee in all rookie contracts of salary for injuries. Moreover, the CBA explicitly permits split salaries in the section on drafted rookie contracts [7.3(b)(iii)].

That said, Polk's contract is fully guaranteed for this year, so it should not save them anything if he goes on IR.

 

[Triumph]

Polks salary is guaranteed next season too and it rises.

There is no cap savings cutting him loose. So, its likely the Pats will find some way to keep him at least this season.

Ja'Lynn Polk Contract Details, Salary Cap Charges, Bonus Money, and Contract History | Over The Cap

Ja'Lynn Polk contract and salary cap details, including signing bonus, guaranteed salary, dead money, roster bonuses, and contract history

overthecap.com

 

[Triumph]

Bourne on the other hand would be a cap savings if cut.

I cant see the Pats keeping him, but you never know.

Kendrick Bourne Contract Details, Salary Cap Charges, Bonus Money, and Contract History | Over The Cap

Kendrick Bourne contract and salary cap details, including signing bonus, guaranteed salary, dead money, roster bonuses, and contract history

overthecap.com

 

[Huckleberry1]

Doing forensic analysis on someone's draft posts on the internet definitely seems like a healthy perspective.

Thanks. I put my whole forensic team on it.