Bedard: How the Patriots' cap relates to loss of Trey Flowers, Trent Brown's departure, plus Tom Brady's contract

A few thoughts on the early portion of free agency as it relates the Patriots:

Trey Flowers agrees to deal with the Lions

Flowers is the biggest loss to the team, and it's not even close. That being said, I'm not sure what else they could have done (part of it was their own doing):

Back in December, Miguel proposed a contract extension for Flowers. It was fair, and still represented a hometown discount if he stayed put. It was basically $15 million per season. His cap hit the first year would have been $10 million. They have about $16 million and change in cap room (less after restricted tenders), and I'm not sure a Tom Brady extension (we'll get to that in a minute) will get them all that much relief.

I'm sure the Patriots went to Flowers last offseason (they hadn't in June) and tried to do a win-win deal for both sides. Flowers would have made more last season, but the team would get a better rate going forward, similar to Malcolm Butler. Both players, one year away from free agency, decided not to take below-market-rates and bet on themselves. They both won.

If you were going to criticize the Patriots for not retaining Flowers — a Patriot if there ever was one (the guy switched sides heading into a contract year) — it would have to do with their lack of success in the draft lately. That's meant the roster has gotten older and they've relied on veterans, which is more expensive. It certainly hasn't hurt them on the field to this point (I'm not sure they could have played that defense last year with anything but veterans), but it has affected roster-building.

Simply: because the Patriots have had to rely on more veterans, it has affected their cap. Remember, the Patriots needed to restructure Stephon Gilmore's contract last season just to cover their cap obligations. People thought the move was about them making a trade. No, it was about the Patriots gaining financial flexibility in case incentives kicked in. Most did not, so they were able to apply $3 million of the $3.7 million gained with the restructure on this year's cap.

But the overall point holds true: until the Patriots start replacing veterans with drafted (cheap) players, they are going to have a hard time re-signing all their internal talent without sacrificing future cap space.

Think of it this way: The Patriots had 38 players on their roster last season make at least $1 million in average annual value. The Rams, by way of comparison, had 23. Say those 15 players represented $1.5 million. That's another $22.5 million in cap space. That ... would allow you to retain Flowers.

As for how they replace Flowers, Michael Bennett is plug-and-play. Bennett's the same player, just older with a little more tread and mouthy baggage. It makes it more likely Adrian Clayborn, who did improve as the year went on, is back next season. Deatrich Wise's role has grown each season and he's a borderline starter. John Simon should be retained. Derek Rivers? I'm not holding my breath, but we'll see. To date, he has shown nothing to indicate he's ready for a larger role, but players are not static objects. Expect another street free agent/trade, and a drafted player.

Trent Brown agrees with Raiders

Look, no one joined the Trent Brown Train earlier than I did, but for anyone to suggest the Patriots should have committed big money to Brown is just wrong.

Just because Brown represented a huge improvement over Nate Solder — whose departure was also bemoaned for reasons unknown — and the unit was better and they won a Super Bowl, it doesn't mean he's some irreplaceable piece.

Yes, Brown gave up half as many sacks and pressures as Solder. But Solder hadn't been good in a while before he signed with the Giants.

Remember, Brown was in my bottom three for the team 6.5 times in 19 games this season (35 percent of games). He definitely had his struggles while the guards and center were terrific (they had pressure rates half of Brown).

So let's not make it out like Brown was the Great Wall of China at left tackle. He was good and durable, but he's replaceable.

Now it's up to Isaiah Wynn, and I'm sure the Patriots will be looking for the next Brown — a veteran with upside — for competition. Wouldn't be surprised if Bill Belichick allows Dante Scarnecchia to handpick another tackle in the middle rounds.

On Tom Brady's contract

The Patriots could gain a little more cap space (about $5 million) by extending Tom Brady. There has been recent speculation that an extension is imminent. I have been told that this is not the case, although it's expected to happen at some point. Most involved are convinced that Brady's contract can't be redone until August at the earliest because of the most recent restructure.