New England Patriots: 5 players in danger of being cap cuts
LB Shea McClellin
2017 was a lost season for Shea McClellin. He was placed on IR in September with a concussion and reportedly ‘suffered a setback’ in his return in November.
McClellin, 28, flashed at times during his first season with the Patriots in 2016, amassing 39 combined tackles, one sack, and a highlight-reel field goal block. His unavailability hurt the Patriots in 2017, with linebackers Dont’a Hightower and Kyle Van Noy missing time due to injuries.
Now, the team will need to decide whether or not he’s a part of their future plans.
The Patriots awarded McClellin a three-year $9.05 million contract in 2016, per Spotrac. And his cap hit in 2018 will be $3.18 million. There’s a potential out in his contract after 2017, leaving the team with $833,334 in dead cap.
New England may opt to revamp its linebacker corps, this offseason, and cutting McClellin would free a good chunk of cap room to do so.