Top 5 cap hits on the Patriots’ roster for the 2023 season
The New England Patriots’ have a strong cap situation, and one piece of evidence for that is their lower cap hits among top contracts for 2023. If nothing else, the Patriots do have a solid contract situation. They don’t have many large contract at all and should be in a healthy cap position now and in the near future.
However, an obvious downside is that since the Pats don’t have a ton of large contracts, that could also indicate that they don’t have many players deserving of those top contracts.
Among their current active roster, who have the highest five cap hits for the 2023 season?
Top 5 cap hits on the Patriots’ roster for the 2023 season
5. Deatrich Wise, $8,700,000
Deatrich Wise has been with the Patriots since 2017 and has won one Super Bowl with the team in 2018. The 2022 season was the first year he became a full-time starter, but the veteran has played in every game but three over his six year career. He’s also had at least 9 QB hits in every season of his career.
4. Davon Godchaux, $10,500,000
Davon Godchaux came over from the Miami Dolphins back in the 2021 season and has already been given a contract extension with the Patriots. He’s played in each game over the last two seasons and has 127 total tackles and 2.5 sacks in his two years in New England.
3. Trent Brown, $12,250,000
Trent Brown has quite the cap hit in 2023 and I’m not so sure that this number remains the same during the 2023 season. Depending on how the NFL Draft goes for the Patriots, Brown might be out of a job with the team. They could also approach him about a contract restructure.
2. Hunter Henry, $15,500,000
Hunter Henry was one of the many free agent acquisitions of the New England Patriots back in the 2021 season. His first year was stellar as he developed a nice redzone connection with Mac Jones, but regressed a bit in 2022.
I do think 2023 is the last year we see Hunter Henry on the team.
1. Matt Judon, $18,107,222
If there’s anyone on the roster deserving of having the highest cap hit on the team, it’s Matt Judon, who has been just stellar in his two years with the Patriots. He’s already climbing up the Patriots’ all-time sacks leaderboard and could make a bigger dent in 2023.
He has 28 sacks and 53 QB hits in two years with the Patriots and has also added four passes defended, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.
I’d expect some type of raise is coming Judon’s way at some point.