The Patriots improved in 2021, but in the post-Tom Brady era, the team hasn’t lived up to the Bill Belichick standard quite yet — but that could change with a successful free agency period.
After missing the playoffs for the first time in 11 years in 2020, the New England Patriots bounced back in 2021 to the tune of a second-place finish in the AFC East and a re-entry into the postseason.
It was the result of the franchise shelling out a mind-boggling and record-setting $159.6 million in guaranteed money during last March’s free agency period. That’s a big number for any team, but it was especially surprising for New England because the Patriots have developed a notoriously frugal reputation.
After finishing 10-7 in 2021, the question is whether New England will continue with the same philosophy while quarterback Mac Jones remains on his rookie deal. According to Spotrac, the franchise has a little over $7.3 million in top-51 salary-cap space. Like most teams, the Pats will have to restructure deals and do some finagling to stay compliant and put themselves in the best possible position to keep building.
Ahead of the start of the new NFL league year on March 16, here are the imminent Patriots free agents who will have their chance to explore the open market.
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Patriots’ 2021 Salary Cap Numbers
All numbers courtesy of Spotrac
- Active Contracts: $147,576,468
- Dead Cap Money: $32,392,321
- Total Salary Cap Usage: $199,373,159
- Salary Cap Space: $6,439,388
Patriots 2022 Free Agents
- ILB Ja’Whaun Bentley (unrestricted)
- Age: 25
- Expiring Contract: 4 years, $2,763,954
- 2021 Salary: $995,990
- RB Brandon Bolden (unrestricted)
- Age: 32
- Expiring Contract: 2 years, $3,700,000
- 2021 Salary: $1,976,470
- RT Trenton Brown (unrestricted)
- Age: 28
- Expiring Contract: 1 year, $9,000,000
- 2021 Salary: $7,588,235
- OLB Jamie Collins (unrestricted)
- Age: 32
- Expiring Contract: 1 year, $1,075,000
- 2021 Salary: $836,111
- K Nick Folk (unrestricted)
- Age: 37
- Expiring Contract: 1 year, $1,075,000
- 2021 Salary: $955,556
- TE Troy Fumagalli (restricted)
- Age: 27
- Expiring Contract: 1 year, $850,000
- 2021 Salary: $465,000
- LB Terez Hall (exclusive rights)
- Age: 25
- Expiring Contract: 2 years, $1,390,000
- 2021 Salary: $440,000
- ILB Dont’a Hightower (unrestricted)
- Age: 31
- Expiring Contract: 4 years, $35,500,000
- 2021 Salary: $12,397,059
- QB Brian Hoyer (unrestricted)
- Age: 36
- Expiring Contract: 1 year, $1,075,000
- 2021 Salary: $1,015,274
- CB J.C. Jackson (unrestricted)
- Age: 26
- Expiring Contract: 1 year, $3,384,000
- 2021 Salary: $3,384,000
- FB Jakob Johnson (restricted)
- Age: 27
- Expiring Contract: 1 year, $850,000
- 2021 Salary: $850,000
- C Ted Karras (unrestricted)
- Age: 29
- Expiring Contract: 1 year, $3,000,000
- 2021 Salary: $2,970,588
- FS Brandon King (unrestricted)
- Age: 28
- Expiring Contract: 2 years, $3,700,000
- 2021 Salary: $1,366,268
- ILB Harvey Langi (unrestricted)
- Age: 29
- Expiring Contract: 1 year, $920,000
- 2021 Salary: $920,000
- FS Devin McCourty (unrestricted)
- Age: 34
- Expiring Contract: 2 years, $23,000,000
- 2021 Salary: $11,091,176
- WR Jakobi Meyers (restricted)
- Age: 25
- Expiring Contract: 3 years, $1,765,000
- 2021 Salary: $853,333
- WR Gunner Olszewski (restricted)
- Age: 25
- Expiring Contract: 3 years, $1,757,500
- 2021 Salary: $850,834
- WR Matthew Slater (unrestricted)
- Age: 36
- Expiring Contract: 2 years, $5,300,000
- 2021 Salary: $3,001,464
- RB James White (unrestricted)
- Age: 30
- Expiring Contract: 1 year, $2,462,500
- 2021 Salary: $2,325,000
