The New England Patriots entered the informal tampering period with the second-most cap space in football. They have certainly acted as a team with funds to spend.
New England has already spent its highest total of guaranteed money on free agents in any offseason over the course of the last decade, per ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
Patriots already have spent their most guaranteed money on free agents in any offseason over the last decade. https://t.co/iyQI3A72lx
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 15, 2021
Four of the Patriots' additions–Jonnu Smith, Davon Godchaux, Trent Brown and Jalen Mills–are clients of noted agent Drew Rosenhaus, who said his experience dealing with head coach Bill Belichick played a large role in negotiations:
“I’ve known Coach Belichick for 30 years and that experience was beneficial to getting these deals done,” Rosenhaus said, via Schefter.
That does not even include edge rusher Matt Judon, whom the Patriots signed to a four-year, $56 million deal.
Belichick is not resting on his laurels after New England missed the playoffs in 2020. The Pats are intent on making impact moves to try to get back to the playoffs.
But might all this spending have ramifications for players already on the roster?
Assuming the money is spread out evenly, the Patriots still have around $27 million in cap. But they will also need to account for draft picks.
This does not appear to leave a ton of room for wide receiver, a position still in need of a possible upgrade. Maybe New England will create more space by dealing star cornerback Stephon Gilmore.
The 2019 Defensive Player of the Year is thought to be available, though he will also be in need of a new deal. Perhaps the Patriots will pull the trigger on a Gilmore deal if they get adequate draft capital in return, especially if it creates the cap space to pursue a marquee wideout such as a Kenny Golladay.
Regardless, this has been quite the spending spree from New England.
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