Why do the 2019 Patriots have so little cap space?

A common question in the BSJ comments: Why do the Patriots have so little cap space right now, even though the league salary cap has increased from $123 million in 2013 to $188.2 million in 2019?

Basically, the players with the 10 highest cap hits are taking up a greater percentage of the salary cap than ever before. The 2019 Patriots have more players (five - Tom Brady, Devin McCourty, Rob Gronkowski, Dont'a Hightower and Stephon Gilmore) with cap hits of $10 million or more than they have in recent years. Take a look at the history.

• 2019: 5


• 2018: 3


• 2017: 3


• 2016: 2


• 2015: 1


• 2014: 1


• 2013: 3

• 2019: 5


• 2018: 5


• 2017: 4


• 2016: 3


• 2015: 2


• 2014: 2


• 2013: 3

• 2019: 10


• 2018: 7


• 2017: 9


• 2016: 10


• 2015: 7


• 2014: 5


• 2013: 4

• Tom Brady: $22,000,215 to $27,000,000


• Stephon Gilmore: $8,894,380 to $14,837,500


• Devin McCourty: $11,942,095 to $13,435,000


• Dont'a Hightower: $9,076,763 to $10,945,313


• Marcus Cannon: $5,963,345 to $8,459,000.


• Shaq Mason: $3,424,976 to $7,275,000


• Kyle Van Noy: $3,673,761 to $6,291,668


• Jonathan Jones: $640,429 to $3,095,000


• Brian Hoyer: $922,095 to $3,000,000


• Joe Thuney: $865,452 to $2,218,357


• Elandon Roberts: $662,184 to $2,050,089