The biggest question mark with the Patriots this offseason is Trey Flowers. Everyone is in agreement they need to sign him as losing him would be a loss they might not be able to recover from. He is their best all-around defensive lineman since Richard Seymour, plays every position on the line, and is a respected, home-grown leader for that team. Only problem is he is going to get PAID. Like 15 million a year paid. The Pats don’t spend that money on anyone (except Gilmore). But with how important Flowers is, and the way their roster is assembled, they can resign him.
I’m operating under the assumption he will take some sort of discount- say $14 million AAV. The team can and should offer a 5 year/70 million offer with around 30 guaranteed. How can they fit that in their roster? Glad you asked!
Devin McCourty is in the final year of his contract. One way or the other he will be off the roster or back on an extremely reduced price after this year. There’s money opened up in the secondary. J.C Jackson is on a rookie contract and won’t occupy a lot of space over the duration of his contract. Dont’a Hightower has two years left on his contract at an average of 8 million per year. If he is back these next two years it is at a reduced price and, after those two years, is probably retired. There’s money opened up at the linebacker position. Bentley is on a rookie contract for the next 3 years and is the future of your linebacker core on a rookie deal. Flowers’ fellow defensive lineman? Well, a rookie DT or two will be drafted to replace Brown and Shelton. Rookie deals. Wise, Rivers, and Davis, along with any potential rookies, are all on cheap contracts or could be resigned for short money, freeing up a big contract for your star player.
And that’s just on defense. Offensively, you have your probable left tackle Isiah Wynn on a rookie deal. Thuney needs to be extended. Andrews, Mason, and Cannon are all under contract on very good deals. Sony Michel, James White, and Rex Burkhead are all on rookie or cheap deals. Your receiving core might take on a contract, say Golden Tate at a little less than 10 million a year. And Brady will keep taking pay cuts like he always has.
While Flowers will get a contract not handed out in New England, he is too important and they are set up too well cap wise in the future to not sign him. Trey Flowers will resign with the Patriots and continue his postseason dominance.
Bowles' Blog 