What should Patriots do with newfound cap space after Julian Edelman retirement?
Julian Edelman was set to cost the New England Patriots a cap hit of nearly $7 million in 2021, which has felt like it’s been up in the air for over a year given his inability to stay on the field.
Would he be traded?
Would Bill Belichick ruthlessly cut him?
No matter the result, we were bound to be somewhat depressed in its aftermath.
The story still ended in disappointing fashion with Edelman announcing his retirement on Monday, but we have to say it’s probably the best outcome for all parties.
His Patriots legacy remains as unscathed as it’ll ever be, he saves his team money, and he rides off into the sunset without trying to force his way onto another roster while battling a number of injuries heading into his age-35 season.
My new Patriots salary cap space number after Julian Edelman's release is $15,244,335.
— Miguel Benzan Patriots Cap Space is 12,198,438 (@patscap) April 12, 2021
What should the Patriots do with their newfound Julian Edelman cap space?
Edelman was set to make $6.67 million in 2021, but his contract being terminated frees up some cap space for the Pats, who can’t seen to get rid of this money. They entered the offseason with the third-most cap space in the NFL, spent nearly $300 million in free agency, and still have over $15 million left to dish out.
So what to do with it? Belichick could dip back into free agency and see what’s out there. Perhaps adding a pass rusher like Justin Houston or Jadeveon Clowney could break things open for the defense? That’s about the last untapped market out there.
But now that the Pats are losing an influential player at the wide receiver position, which still needs help despite the presence of Jakobi Meyers, Nelson Agholor, Kendrick Bourne and N’Keal Harry, maybe a trade for another skilled pass catcher can really take this offense to the next level.
https://twitter.com/PFF/status/1381703350626967562?s=20
Who might be available that could match up with the Patriots’ cap situation? Well, not many. Unless the New Orleans Saints are open to moving Michael Thomas, who’s making $10.1 million in 2021. Maybe call the Chicago Bears about Allen Robinson, who was franchise-tagged this offseason? He’s set to make a little over $17 million in 2021, but if the Pats can acquire him and work out a contract extension, they could alter the cap hit for next season. Odell Beckham Jr. or Jarvis Landry? The Browns would probably be more inclined to move OBJ since they had their most successful season in decades without him. He’s set to make $15.75 million. Restructure some of that into a signing bonus and you’re golden.
Why do we suggest this? Because the Patriots just filled their roster with a ton of free agents. They can afford to clear up some spots by trading some of their current guys or parting with draft picks. New England has 10 draft picks this year and there’s no way all of those rookies will be able to make the final 53-man roster.
Check out BreakingT’s new NFLPA-licensed Julian Edelman shirt.
The Pats should probably keep their first-rounder if they want to find their QB of the future, but why not part with a couple of mid-rounders for someone like OBJ and then strike gold in the late rounds like they always do?
It’s not far-fetched, and they have the necessary money and assets to make it happen.
