Triumph
Hall of Fame Poster
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Patriots Tailgate
Ted Mahoney · tS29puo1n7g9a3h377c6e06 ·Something to keep an eye on! Punter Jake Bailey Could Be Released if not extended to spread out this cap hit.
“Because Bailey’s performance dipped a bit in 2021, and thanks to a proven performance escalator he triggered by making the Pro Bowl in 2020, he’s set to earn a salary of nearly $4 million this season — the highest of any NFL punter per ESPN's Mike Reiss and Miguel of Pats Cap “The Patriots can wipe that entire salary off their books by cutting Bailey, leaving behind just $72,245 in dead money from his rookie signing bonus.” The top pick in the fifth round gets a $698,619 salary and a four-year, $3.64 million contract. The top pick in the fifth round gets a $698,619 salary and a four-year, $3.64 million contract.
The Patriots could theoretically draft a punter for four years that would cost less than one year of Jake Bailey--!! Remember Baily replaced Zoltan Mesko for the same reason.
Because the Patriots have multiple holes to fill on their roster, there is a chance they may sacrifice a high-priced punter for a position of greater importance.
“Bailey still is a very good punter, but that’s a lot of money to devote to that position, even for a special teams aficionado like Bill Belichick. If Belichick believes he can get comparable production from a much cheaper rookie — “Punt God” Matt Araiza from San Diego State is this year’s top prospect — that’s something he’d have to consider.