With the Patriots dealing Brandin Cooks to the Rams on Tuesday, the team saved around $8 million against the cap for 2018, which now has their cap number over $14 million.
This gives them options.
No. 1, the extra money could go towards Rob Gronkowski. The tight end hasn't committed yet to playing in 2018 and some have said this is a ploy for a re-worked contract. As of now, the tight end is scheduled to have a base salary of $8 million, but can earn over $10 million with bonuses and incentives. Given the contracts tight ends and even receivers have signed recently, Gronkowski has every right to want more money.
With the extra money, one option would be giving some of it to Gronkowski and paying him like he deserves compared to the other top players at his position.
Another option is trying to extend some of their own players before they enter their contract year.
At the top of the list would be Trey Flowers and Shaq Mason, both of which are entering contract years. Flowers is one of the most underrated defensive ends in the league, who hadn't received any national attention until the end of last season. Mason on the other hand is one of the best interior linemen in the NFL. These two players likely will be in high demand next offseason, so locking them up now at potentially team-friendly prices could be the way to go for New England.
The final option is using the money to sign other free agents, but since free agency has essentially passed, the players left aren't in high demand and aren't seeking big money deals.
So, don't be surprised if some of the money saved from dealing Cooks eventually goes back into taking care of some players already on the Patriots roster.
