- PREMIUM
- HOME
- NFL
Popular Pages
Transactions
Trending Players
AFC East
AFC North
AFC South
NFC East
NFC North
NFC South
- NBA
Popular Pages
Transactions
Trending Players
Southeast
Atlantic
Southwest
Northwest
- MLB
Popular Pages
Transactions
Trending Players
AL East
AL Central
NL West
NL East
- NHL
Popular Pages
Transactions
Trending Players
Atlantic
Pacific
- WNBA
Popular Pages
Transactions
Trending Players
Eastern
- EPL
Popular Pages
Transactions
Trending Players
- MLS
Transactions
Trending Players
Eastern
ATL Atlanta UnitedAtlanta United FC
MTL MontrealCF Montreal
CLT CharlotteCharlotte FC
CHI FireChicago Fire
CLB Columbus CrewColumbus Crew
DC UnitedD.C. United
CIN CincinnatiFC Cincinnati
MIA Inter MiamiInter Miami FC
NSH NashvilleNashville SC
NE RevolutionNew England Revolution
NYC New York CityNew York City FC
RBNY Red BullsNew York Red Bulls
ORL Orlando CityOrlando City
PHI UnionPhiladelphia Union
TOR TorontoToronto FC
Western
ATX AustinAustin FC
COL RapidsColorado Rapids
DAL DallasFC Dallas
HOU DynamoHouston Dynamo
LA GalaxyLA Galaxy
LAFC Los AngelesLos Angeles FC
MIN MinnesotaMinnesota United FC
POR TimbersPortland Timbers
RSL Real Salt LakeReal Salt Lake
SJ EarthquakesSan Jose Earthquakes
SEA SoundersSeattle Sounders FC
SKC Kansas CitySporting Kansas City
STL St. Louis CITYSt. Louis CITY SC
VAN WhitecapsVancouver Whitecaps FC
- NWSL
Popular Pages
Transactions
Trending Players
ACFC Angel City FCAngel City FC
BFC Bay FCBay FC
CHI Chicago Red StarsChicago Red Stars
HOU Houston DashHouston Dash
KC Kansas City CurrentKansas City Current
NJNY NJ/NY Gotham FCNJ/NY Gotham FC
NC North Carolina CourageNorth Carolina Courage
ORL Orlando PrideOrlando Pride
POR Portland Thorns FCPortland Thorns FC
LOU Racing Louisville FCRacing Louisville FC
SD San Diego Wave FCSan Diego Wave FC
RGN Seattle Reign FCSeattle Reign FC
UTA Utah Royals FCUtah Royals FC
WAS Washington SpiritWashington Spirit
- GOLF
Popular Pages
Trending Players
- TENNIS
ATP
WTA
- RACING
NASCAR CUP
FORMULA 1
An Offseason Look at the New England Patriots
![](https://d1dglpr230r57l.cloudfront.net/images/xlarge/USATSI_10588274_160074578_lowres.jpg)
The Super Bowl runner-up New England Patriots head into the 2018 offseason with around $17.5M in Top 51 cap space to work with out of the gate. According to our data, 51 contracts are signed for next season at the time of this article, and only $948,747 of dead cap has been accrued. The focus for New England over the next month will be two-fold: Lock in a few notable pending free agents, and ascertain the futures of key core players who may be on the fence. We’ll take a deeper look at these scenarios below.
View the Patriots 2018 Salary Cap
The biggest area of concern for now heading toward March 14th free agency will be the expiring contracts of a few offensive linemen. LT Nate Solder had another above average season, and is calculating toward Top 3 tackle money, currently valuing around $13.2M. Add in the pending free agency of OT Cameron Fleming & OT LaAdrian Waddle, and the Patriots have work to do to maintain Brady’s line depth going forward.
In terms of offensive weapons a few names stand out. 32-year-old WR Danny Amendola had a nice season in the absence of an injured Edelman, and shouldn’t come at much cost to keep in the fold should New England wish to. The same can’t be said for 27-year-old RB Dion Lewis, who had a breakout season in both the run & pass game. His value sits at a nice round $5M figure, a figure New England generally doesn’t pay to one RB. Counterpart Rex Burkhead is also on an expiring contract, and while his production didn’t stand out, his 8 total TDs certainly made an impact in 2017.
On the defensive side of the ball, Malcolm Butler didn’t see a snap in Super Bowl 52, but his production over the past two seasons (in the shadow of others) still projects him to a $13M/year contract on the open market. He’s expected to find a new home in 2018.
» View the Complete List of Patriots Free Agents
Football fans across the board will have a close eye on the future decisions of HC Bill Belichick, QB Tom Brady, and TE Rob Gronkowski this spring, as all have been speculated to be considering retirement.
Tom Brady, QB
Brady will be 41 by the time the 2018 season kicks off, but has two years and a total of $30M cash remaining on his current contract. He carries cap hits of $22M in both 2018 & 2019, and none of his salary guarantees until the start of the season.
If Brady retires this spring: The Patriots will likely process this transaction after June 1st, allowing them to split his $14M in dead up at $7M in 2018, and $7M in 2019. The move would clear $15M in cap space for 2018.
If Brady retires after the 2018 season: The Patriots will take a $7M dead cap hit regardless of when the move is processed.
Rob Gronkowski, TE
Like Brady, Gronk has two years remaining on his current contract, including $19M of potential cash, and cap figures of $10.9M, & $12M respectively. This $9.5M average salary ranks #1 among signed Tight Ends, but Gronk may be seeking guaranteed salary going forward.
If Gronk retires this spring: The Patriots will incur a $4M dead cap hit that can be split into $2M in 2018, and $2M in 2019 if the move is processed after June 1st.
If Gronk retires after the 2018 season: The Patriots will incur a $2M dead cap hit, regardless of when the move is processed.
TEAM | POS | AGE | MARKET VALUE |
---|---|---|---|
Brandin Cooks | WR | 27 | $13M |
Patrick Chung | S | 30 | $5.7M |
Malcom Brown | DT | 23 | $11.8M |
TEAM | POS | AGE | 2018 CAP |
---|---|---|---|
Mike Gillislee | RB | 27 | $2,181,250 |
Martellus Bennett | TE | 31 | $6,187,500 |
Alan Branch | DT | 33 | $4,550,000 |
» View all 2018 Roster Bubble Candidates
CATEGORIES
- NBA 103
- NFL 71
- GOLF 47
- MLB 24
- NWSL 19
AUTHORS
- Michael Ginnitti NFL, MLB
- Keith Smith NBA
- Scott Allen Contributor
- Taylor Vincent NWSL
![](https://d1dglpr230r57l.cloudfront.net/images/crop/4355_USATSI_22065964_168390303_lowres.jpg)
2024 NBA Offseason Financials: Oklahoma City Thunder
Breaking down the upcoming offseason for each 2024-25 NBA team, including cap space figures, free agents, extension candidates, draft pick scenarios, & thoughts on potential trades, exceptions & plenty more.
![](https://d1dglpr230r57l.cloudfront.net/images/crop/4354_USATSI_22317843_168390303_lowres.jpg)
Breaking Down Trevor Lawrence's Jaguars Extension
Breaking down the facts, figures, & rankings for Trevor Lawrence's 5 year, $275M contract extension in Jacksonville that includes $200M practically guaranteed through 2028.
![](https://d1dglpr230r57l.cloudfront.net/images/crop/4352_USATSI_23335482_168390303_lowres.jpg)
Roundup: NWSL Teams Limiting Exposure to Free Agency
Taking a look at how NWSL teams have limited their exposure to the free agency window.
![](https://d1dglpr230r57l.cloudfront.net/images/crop/4348_USATSI_19206558_168390303_lowres.jpg)
NFL Free Agency's Top, Value, & Best Available
The 2024 NFL offseason is now three months old, prompting Spotrac to reflect on the top free agent signings at each position, a newly signed player who may hold significant value for the upcoming season, and a few notable players still available on the open market through the middle of June.
![](https://d1dglpr230r57l.cloudfront.net/images/crop/4347_USATSI_23078709_168390303_lowres.jpg)
2024 NBA Free Agents: Top 50
Breaking down and ranking the Top 50 2024 NBA free agents.
TRENDING PLAYERS
- 1 LeBron James (PF, LAL)
- 2 Trevor Lawrence (QB, JAX)
- 3 Klay Thompson (SG, GSW)
- 4 Terrell Lewis (OLB, PHI)
- 5 Patrick Mahomes (QB, KC)
TRENDING PAGES
- 1 NBA Free Agents
- 2 NFL Free Agents
- 3 NFL Transactions
- 4 NFL Salary Rankings
- 5 MLB Transactions