The salary cap will explode in the 2023 season if the Patriots don’t make any moves in this year’s draft. The team will need to decide how much they are willing to pay for the next five NFL seasons. It might be worth spending more money to try and get more money for Brady. Trading for players like Hunter Henry and Jalen Mills is an option. However, the Patriots will have to pay the piper eventually. The salary cap will explode once the NFL TV deals kick-in.
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Shaq Mason trade
The Patriots could trade for Shaq Mason to help reduce the team’s salary cap burden for 2022. The team’s star guard is an integral part of its offensive line. If his contract reaches the cap limit, he could be a cap casualty. The move could also open up $6 million in cap space. Although the Patriots have the flexibility and ability to restructure Mason’s contract, it is unlikely.
The Patriots have been throwing around too much money over the past few years, but a trade for Shaq Mason and a fifth-round pick is a good way to trim the payroll. It’s important to remember that the Patriots are still over the salary cap for 2022 despite the trade. The Patriots’ new approach towards cap management may have prevented them from spending a lot on Shaq Mason.
The Patriots must address their most pressing issues this offseason. The most obvious is the offensive line. Re-signing Brown would be a great start, but the team still needs more depth at the o-line. Another area to address is the defense. Mason’s trade money could be used to help the Patriots bolster their linebacker or cornerback positions.
Cowboys RT La’el Collins is another player that the Patriots will be acquiring in the Shaq Mason deal. Collins is similar in age to Mason, but he’s more valuable than a guard. He can also provide insurance for Isaiah Wynn who is likely to be a cap casualty. In addition to being a solid pass protector, Collins is a nasty player who can play at any position.
Restructuring Judon’s contract
You might be tempted to structure Judon’s contract if you are a Ravens fan. Even if Judon isn’t signed to a long-term deal, a restructuring would allow Ravens to increase cap space for roster upgrades in offseason. Every team has about $35 million to spend on free agents. You must also consider that the Ravens have many high-quality players whose contracts will need to be addressed, and that they have very little cap space. The Ravens, for example, already have cornerback Marlon Humphrey, and running back Lamar Jackson.
Robinson’s upside as a free agent is his greatest asset. The Patriots have ranked 15th in yards allowed last season, and he’s only 28 years old. Still, the Patriots are trying to bounce back from a 7-9 season, and it’s unlikely that Judon can do that. That’s why they’ve signed former Dolphins nose tackle Davon Godchaux and Titans tight end Jonnu Smith to help them improve their defense.
Judon isn’t a pure pass-rusher but he is smart and knows the business side of things. His career is on the rise, and he hasn’t missed a single game in his first three seasons. He’s a great player and will be a good fit under Belichick, even though he’s not yet a Pro Bowl superstar. He can still be a three-down, well-rounded impact linebacker if he isn’t signed by 2020.
During the offseason, Judon has spent his time recruiting top free agents and even non-free agents, but to no avail. The Rams recently signed Bobby Wagner to a five-year deal worth up to $65 million. Judon was confused when the Rams signed Wagner, who he teased as a Patriots fan. Judon’s Twitter account was flooded with angry messages about Wagner.
Wynn’s contract to be restructured
Restructuring Wynn’s contract has many implications for the Buffalo Bills. Craig Billings (incoming CEO of Wynn Resorts), hinted at possible changes during the company’s third quarter conference calls. He stated that sports betting operators need to lower their costs of customer acquisition. These changes could have an impact on Joe Thuney’s future. But what’s best for Wynn and the Bills?
Wynn could be traded by the Patriots to receive cap relief. However, this is unlikely to happen. The team would not be able to save much money by trading. Moreover, it would give Wynn’s agent little leverage. If Wynn is traded, his salary would be removed from the Patriots’ books, allowing the team to focus on other needs. Wynn will be eligible for free agency after the 2021 season.
According to Wynn’s 8K filing with the SEC on Nov. 9, Maddox will receive a $3 million cash payment, equivalent to 18 months of base salary. Wynn will continue to provide health care benefits to Maddox and he will be eligible for an annual bonus of 11/12ths 2020 and 2021 bonuses. He will also receive 82,238 unvested Wynn Resorts shares, which are worth about $8 million.
The Patriots also have a potential target in left tackle Trent Brown. The Patriots could use Wynn as a trade bait to land a high-priced free agent. Trent Brown will likely be the starting left tackle in 2021 and will have a huge cap hit next offseason. While Wynn is a valuable asset to the Patriots, he’s currently only under contract for one year, which could hurt the team’s ability to trade him at the deadline.
Free-agent contracts
The Patriots will have $10.5 million in cap space going into training camp. They have plenty of time to sign outside players but they also have the option to cut a few players. These moves would leave the Patriots with no money. A cheaper option is to renegotiate contracts with high-priced players. The Patriots have the option of making cost-saving moves in pre-free agency.
As far as free agents go, Belichick has kept his core young. However, he’s also looked into veteran help at reasonable prices. While the young group is promising, nearly half of the 2021 draft class failed to play a snap last fall. With less cap space this spring, Belichick is scrimping in order to add veteran help at affordable prices. While the Patriots will have the fourth-largest projected cap space in 2022, they may not have enough money to sign a big-name free-agent.
The Patriots have already had a significant turnover on the offensive line. Right guard Shaq Mason and left-guard Ted Karras were both released by the team this offseason. Without Anderson’s contract, the team will have only $12.4 million in cap space at the end of 2022. This figure does not include the Ju’Whaun and Ty Montgomery contracts, which have a combined cap hit of $12.4million for New England.
The Patriots spent more that $12 million last year on free agency and have very limited cap space. They will likely start by resigning key players and consider free agent options from other teams. However, they’ll likely be more judicious this year. They have also signed Devin McCourty as safety, in addition to McCourty’s resignation. McCourty will be kept in the team with a $9 million one-year contract.
After trading for Matt Ryan, Colts have a salary cap space
The Indianapolis Colts are now better positioned to manage their salary cap. Ryan’s contract was converted into signing bonuses for $12 million. The Colts will have more cap room in 2022, which will give them a better chance to win the AFC South. Matt Ryan will continue to play for the Colts through at least 2022. The Colts believe Ryan will help them win the AFC South in 2020.
The deal will save the Colts at least $40.5 million in dead money. The Colts will only lose $6 million of that total in 2022, as the Falcons are taking a $40.5 million hit for losing Ryan. Ryan will remain with the Colts for two more seasons, at $24.7 million 2022 and $28.2 millions 2023. Dead money is when a player leaves the team or is released. Ryan’s contract contained bonuses worth nearly $20 million.
In the Ryan trade, the Colts also received a third-round draft pick. Ryan has no plans of leaving Indianapolis until the end of this season, and Frank Reich likely will dust off his playbook to re-acquaint himself with the offense. The Colts also have holes at wide receiver, and very little cap space to fill them. The Colts should consider trading for a wide receiver, though.
The Colts could make waves at wide receiver, which has been a critical position in recent years. The Colts need an upgrade. While Pittman and Pascal were both effective in 2014, they are still in dire need of a new coach. Ballard has the potential to make a big splash at receiver with more salary cap space. If he doesn’t, it could be the perfect chance to add a star receiver.