The New England Patriots and quarterback Tom Brady have agreed to restructure the final three years of the star's contract, clearing an additional $7.2 million in cap space for the Pats in 2012.
According to ESPN, the new deal has Brady's base salary for this upcoming year reduced from $5.75 million to $950,000. The $4.8 million difference is tacked onto the roster bonus owed to the quarterback, amounting to a $10.8 million signing bonus to be paid to Brady. In the end, he makes the same figures — just in a different form.
What's the catch? In 2013 and 2014, Brady's salary cap hit will rise to nearly $22 million, a difficult number for a team to manage. What does all of this mean?
The Pats already have a pretty good cap situation. Why would they clear up $7.2 million more at a price that will cost them in the two years following? There are a few ideas on this one. The Pats could be clearing space in preparation to land a big signing and still maintain their cushion with the salary cap. But who's left? Most of the big names have been locked up other than former Steelers' wide receiver Mike Wallace, but any team who signs him will be forced to give up a first round draft choice as a tender.
Former Dolphins safety Yeremiah Bell and Chargers defensive end Luis Castillo are strong candidates to be donning Patriots uniforms next season, but neither of those guys are so huge that they require a ton of shifting in the salary cap. I raise the question again — why would the Patriots arrange their cap in this manner for 2012 if it results in a tighter cap for 2013 and 2014?
You can never rule out the possibility of bringing in a player through the trade market, but there haven't been many speculations indicating an impending move. So I investigate one final possibility, as unlikely as that possibility is.
In addition to signing someone from the free agent market such as Bell or Castillo, could Bill Belichick finally have his eyes on moving up in the first round to select a premiere player? There is incredible talent in the upper half of the first round. Luke Kuechly, whose stock is rapidly rising, could be a perfect anchor in New England's defense and allow Jerod Mayo to finally move to outside linebacker and generate some edge pressure. Quinton Coples could be another answer on the edge of the defensive line. And as high as they would need to jump to land him, you have to admit — Trent Richardson would be a dream-come-true for an offense that just lost BenJarvus Green-Ellis to the Bengals and seeks more balance in their attack.
Having said all of this, I know that it is extremely unlikely that the Patriots jump up in the first round to select a player that costs more money and carries a greater reputation. It's not the Belichick style. But it's something to consider. Why would they sacrifice the future cap situation for the present if they have no intentions of making a splash?
The draft comes relatively soon, and I can't wait to see how things unfold.
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