All right, everyone. Received a lot of good questions on a variety of topics: Stephen Gostkowski's real tag number, the position group with potentially the most turnover, Julian Edelman's future retirement date and 2019 compensation, how trades affect contract mechanisms, contract timing for Rob Gronkowski, and possible paycuts.
Let's dive into this week's questions by starting with the future at quarterback:
Question from my good friend Russ Goldman: In your opinion when should the Patriots draft a QB?
Question: I have been seeing reports and tweets that Stephen Gostkowski's franchise tag number will be around $5 million. You recently wrote it will be $5.98 million. Please explain.
Question from Twitter follower Patriots #6RINGS #COYG: What position group, based on Contracts & Value, will see the greatest amount of turnover? DL, TE's or maybe WR's?
On a recent drive home my wife asked the following questions:
Question from DeeepThreat: Hi Miguel, I have a question for you. Do you have a short and simple explanation for a dummy like me how guaranteed money and roster bonuses are handled during trades? If you have a link, that's fine. If it's too involved, I'll dig into the CBA.
Question from Twitter follower Colin Brady: With 12 picks in the draft, the new kickoff rules and his recent wobbles, is this the year to let Gostkowski walk and draft an inexpensive replacement? What would that save compared to 6th rd pick?
Question from Twitter follower PatriotsPOV: Hey Miguel, I know a team can convert salary to signing bonus to kick the can on a player’s salary but is there a limit on how much? Also, can a team convert signing bonus to salary? It’s not something I’ve ever heard of nor do I think it’s possible just wanted to confirm.
Question from Twitter follower Chris James: Do signing bonuses count against a teams cap? If not, what stops a team from just giving a player a massive signing bonus with a minimum salary?
Question from Twitter follower Urbane Wallflower: Do you see an extension for JE this year or do you think he will just play his contract out and go from there? Do you think he’ll end his career on another team?
Question from Twitter follower TommyG: Is there a date that would give us an idea of what Gronk is gonna do?
Question from Twitter follower The Wolf: How many NE FAs and RFAs will NE re-sign? I think there are 19 right?
- Stephen Gostkowski - $3.8 million
- Jason McCourty - $3 million
- Trey Flowers - $11.4 million
- Ryan Allen - $1.2 million
- Phillip Dorsett - $2 million
- LaAdrian Waddle - $2 million
- John Simon - $1.5 million
- Albert McClellan - $735,000
- Ramon Humber - $735,000
- Jeremy Hill - $1.1 million
Question from Twitter follower Patriot Fan Does BB value Gronk and particularly D Allen more like a tackle, if so could explain past tolerance of their cap #’s?
