Jordy McElroy
June 3, 2024 10:52 am ET
The New England Patriots went into the offseason with one of the richest salary cap situations in the NFL. Surprisingly enough, that’s still the case for the team, even after free agency and the 2024 NFL draft.
They spent most of their offseason extending expiring contracts, making low-key veteran additions and completing rookie deals. There is plenty of money left in the bank for future blockbuster moves for the organization.
But just because the Patriots have that kind of money doesn’t mean they should throw it around recklessly. Some big decisions are going to need to be made in the future when it comes to certain players on the roster, particularly ones with higher cap hits. Is the team getting the right return on its investment?
That’ll be something for coach Jerod Mayo and top executive Eliot Wolf to figure out in the coming months. Here are the top 20 biggest cap hits currently on the Patriots’ roster, via Spotrac.com:
20
LB Sione Takitaki
Dec 17, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns linebacker Sione Takitaki (44) celebrates a tackle during the second half against the Chicago Bears at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Cap hit: $3.3 million
19
G Cole Strange
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – AUGUST 19: Cole Strange #69 of the New England Patriots looks on after the preseason game between the New England Patriots and the Carolina Panthers at Gillette Stadium on August 19, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Cap hit: $3.3 million
18
CB Christian Gonzalez
Sep 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (6) prepares for a game against the Philadelphia Eagles during the warm-up period at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Cap hit: $3.4 million
17
OLB Anfernee Jennings
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 24: Anfernee Jennings #33 of the New England Patriots celebrates a stop against the New York Jets in the first half at MetLife Stadium on September 24, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Cap hit: $3.6 million
16
WR K.J. Osborn
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 29: K.J. Osborn #2 of the New England Patriots walks to the field during the New England Patriots OTA Offseason Workout on May 29, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Cap hit: $3.9 million
15
OT Chukwuma Okorafor
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 18: Chukwuma Okorafor #76 of the Pittsburgh Steelers takes the field prior to a game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
Cap hit: $4 million
14
TE Hunter Henry
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 22: New England Patriots Hunter Henry #85 celebrates during the game against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on October 22, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Cap hit: $5.3 million
13
LB Ja'Whaun Bentley
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 26: Ja’Whaun Bentley #8 of the New England Patriots takes the field prior to a game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on November 26, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Cap hit: $6.3 million
12
S Jabrill Peppers
Dec 17, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers (5) warms up before a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Cap hit: $6.5 million
11
QB Drake Maye
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 29: Drake Maye #10 of the New England Patriots throws the ball during the New England Patriots OTA Offseason Workout on May 29, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Cap hit: $6.7 million
10
DT Christian Barmore
DENVER, COLORADO – DECEMBER 24: Defensive tackle Christian Barmore #90 of the New England Patriots is congratulated by linebacker Josh Uche #55 after sacking Russell Wilson #3 of the Denver Broncos causing a fumble during the 3rd quarter of the game at Empower Field At Mile High on December 24, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
Cap hit: $7.2 million
9
S Kyle Dugger
Jul 26, 2023; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (23) makes his way to the practice fields for training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Cap hit: $7.5 million
8
C David Andrews
Sep 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots center David Andrews (60) snaps the ball during the second half against the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Cap hit: $7.6 million
7
DE Deatrich Wise Jr.
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – NOVEMBER 05: Deatrich Wise Jr. #91 of the New England Patriots reacts during the first half in the game against the Washington Commanders at Gillette Stadium on November 05, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Cap hit: $7.6 million
6
QB Jacoby Brissett
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 29: Jacoby Brissett #14 of the New England Patriots makes a pass during the New England Patriots OTA Offseason Workout on May 29, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Cap hit: $7.9 million
5
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster
Dec 7, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (7) reacts after a first down catch against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Cap hit: $10.3 million
4
OT Mike Onwenu
PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 19: Mike Onwenu #71 of the New England Patriots looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles in the preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field on August 19, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Patriots defeated the Eagles 35-0. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Cap hit: $10.9 million
3
DT Davon Godchaux
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 22: New England Patriots defensive tackle Davon Godchaux #92 celebrates after defeating the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on October 22, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Cap hit: $11.8 million
2
CB Jonathan Jones
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 18: Jonathan Jones #31 of the New England Patriots reacts during the first half against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Getty Images)
Cap hit: $12.6 million
1
OLB Matthew Judon
Sep 24, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) is sacked for a safety by New England Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon (9) in the 4th quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Cap hit: $14.7 million
