Patriot sports fans need to think about the salary cap in a different light. An example to illustrate my point:
In early September 2023, conventional sports reporting (my data from OverTheCap) would go like this: The Bills are down to less than a million in cap space, while the Patriots have $5M.
OR- thinking of the salary cap in a different light:
With $210M of new cap for contracts, the Bills start the season with total player contracts valued at $289M adjusted average pay per year (APY)—the highest value in the NFL. The Bills have eight players with contracts = > $10M APY. The total season cap charge is $209M, 72% of the contract value.
Meanwhile, with $193M available for active contracts, the Patriots have contracts valued at $183M APY- 31st of 32 clubs. The Patriots have two players with contracts = > $10M. The total season cap charge is $188M, 102% of the contract value. The Patriots are the only club in 2023 where the cap charge exceeds the value of the contracts. The NFL club average is 80% cap charge to contract value.
The Bills can afford to have player contracts valued at $106M more than the Patriots. What is going on?
The QB position can explain part of the variance. The Bills have an elite quarterback in Allen; the Patriots do not. This contract variance can explain about $32M of the $106M.
The rest has to be the difference in cap management philosophy. The Bills use contract backloading, restructures, extensions, and void years on contracts more extensively than the Patriots. They can afford higher contract APY at lower cap cost.
Without a cap philosophy change in New England, the new coach will be playing with one hand tied behind his back.
MM
In early September 2023, conventional sports reporting (my data from OverTheCap) would go like this: The Bills are down to less than a million in cap space, while the Patriots have $5M.
OR- thinking of the salary cap in a different light:
With $210M of new cap for contracts, the Bills start the season with total player contracts valued at $289M adjusted average pay per year (APY)—the highest value in the NFL. The Bills have eight players with contracts = > $10M APY. The total season cap charge is $209M, 72% of the contract value.
Meanwhile, with $193M available for active contracts, the Patriots have contracts valued at $183M APY- 31st of 32 clubs. The Patriots have two players with contracts = > $10M. The total season cap charge is $188M, 102% of the contract value. The Patriots are the only club in 2023 where the cap charge exceeds the value of the contracts. The NFL club average is 80% cap charge to contract value.
The Bills can afford to have player contracts valued at $106M more than the Patriots. What is going on?
The QB position can explain part of the variance. The Bills have an elite quarterback in Allen; the Patriots do not. This contract variance can explain about $32M of the $106M.
The rest has to be the difference in cap management philosophy. The Bills use contract backloading, restructures, extensions, and void years on contracts more extensively than the Patriots. They can afford higher contract APY at lower cap cost.
Without a cap philosophy change in New England, the new coach will be playing with one hand tied behind his back.
MM