Patriots: 3 potential cap casualties that could get dumped to increase spending
1. Julian Edelman
Whether Julian Edelman retires or is cut, he’ll save the Pats a good chunk of $.
Don’t say it! We can’t have this! Not Julian Edelman! But everything’s been downhill for the veteran wideout after he was arrested for vandalism during a drunken moment in Los Angeles.
Despite a career year in 2019, Edelman had injuries hold him back significantly in 2020, and even when he was on the field (aside from one game), he was downright ineffective. The knee issue he endured that eventually required surgery is certainly a valid excuse for his performance, but are the Patriots ready to invest $6.1 million to see if he’s better and ready to return to his former self?
We’re just not so sure. Whether it’s a cut, a trade, or Edelman announcing his retirement, Patriots fans better brace for him to not be on the 2021 roster. If the Patriots cut or trade him, that will free up nearly $3.5 million in cap space. That’s a considerable amount when you factor in the additional $1.3 million from LaCosse and $1.5 million from Bolden. That’s an extra $7.3 million.
We’re not saying by any means that Edelman won’t be able to return and produce close to the capacity he was once capable of, it’s just clear that the Patriots might not be able to afford to bank on that given their current situation, the fact that Edelman’s been banged up for years, and because he’s about to be 35 years old.
Just think about it … another $7.3 million could get the Pats another impact player and they need plenty of those after what we just witnessed in 2020.
