The New England Patriots are in a unique situation as they prepare for the 2020 NFL season.
Several players, including key veterans Patrick Chung and Dont’a Hightower, chose not to participate in the season due to concerns about the coronavirus pandemic. The six total foreclosure options so far leave New England with an additional $ 25 million in capitalization.
So what should the Patriots do with the space on the lid they’ve released? Chasing a big fish like Jadaveon Clowney? Do they pass it to 2021?
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In a new Patriots Talk podcast, Tom E. Curran and Phil Perry discuss those questions and share their thoughts on what the Pats should do with their new capitalization cash.
Patriots Talk Podcast: Should Patriots Spend or Transfer Newly Capitalized Cash? The | Listen and subscribe | Watch it on YouTube
“I think the smartest thing to do with $ 25 million, with a cap next year, is to roll,” Curran said. “Now you are the Patriots and you are all throwing players overboard because you have limited abs, and the Patriots have more than 50 or $ 60 million in available space because they put that money in 2021.”
Perry agrees that would be the smart move, but notes that the Patriots can spend a way without putting themselves in a difficult financial position next season.
“The reason it would be smarter is because all these players who just chose not to participate, their contracts are charged until 2021. So if you want them to play next year, you have to pay those guys money,” said Perry. . “They came out of their books very suddenly when they chose not to participate, that’s why they now have more than $ 25 million in compounding space, but they are going to need money next year to bring them back. That would be a reason to turn it around .
“However, one reason to feel that you are free to spend is that they are already in very good shape. Even if you eliminate the fact, you may have to pay Dont’a Hightower and Marcus Cannon and Patrick Chung if everyone comes there. by 2021. You already have over $ 50 million in capitalization space by 2021. So you should be fine there. There is no real need to turn it around. So if you wanted to spend right now, you could and you wouldn’t just ruining his financial situation by entering what is obviously going to be a very strange year. “
So if the Patriots decide to spend with their new cap room, who should they target? Clowney maybe?
“Only if it’s low on money,” Perry replied. “As was the case with Cam Newton … If Jadaveon Clowney is willing to come in and play to a minimum, I’m sure Bill Belichick will suddenly start to get interested. It doesn’t matter that the guy might just want to practice once a week … If that happens, yes, but I don’t think it’s something that interests them. “
Curran and Perry also discuss whether the Patriots can handle more foreclosure options, the motivations behind players choosing not to play, and whether any of the Patriots were rejected from the NFL’s Top 100 list.
Catch the latest episode of the Patriots Talk Podcast on the NBC Sports Boston Podcast or on YouTube.
