Contracts Patriots Must Consider Cutting in 2023 Offseason

The New England Patriots fell just short of expectations in 2022, but the 2023 offseason is a chance to reform the roster into one that can contend in a tough AFC East.

The Pats will enter the offseason with the sixth-most cap space in the league at $38.6 million, per Spotrac. That's a great start for a team that will need to turn to free agency to patch some of the holes on its roster.

However, it's likely going to require more money to adequately utilize free agency. Fortunately, the Pats have some moves that will free up valuable cap space and give them the opportunity to maximize their resources.

Whether it's because they are underperforming their contract, don't have a role that justifies their salary or are simply making too much money right now, these three players should be on the chopping block because the money could be spent better elsewhere.

TE Hunter Henry

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FOXBOROUGH, MA - DECEMBER 01: New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (85) in warm up before a game between the New England Patriots and the Buffalo Bills on December 1, 2022, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

This one isn't necessarily fair to Hunter Henry. When the Patriots handed out big contracts to him and Jonnu Smith in the 2021 offseason, they saddled themselves with the largest tight end budget in the league.

Smith has largely not worked out in a Patriots uniform. In 30 games, he has just 55 catches for 539 yards and one touchdown. Unfortunately, the structure of his deal isn't going to allow the Pats to move on from him. They would incur a $19 million dead-cap charge that would cost more than his $17.2 million cap hit for 2023.

Henry has been a much better investment. He was third on the team in receptions and yards this season and has become a consistent target for Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe. But his $15.5 million cap hit is the third-highest for a tight end next season. Only George Kittle and Smith are set to make more money.

Letting go of the 28-year-old would be disappointing, but they would save $10 million against the cap.

It would likely be a better option to come to an agreement on an extension with the Arkansas product that would allow them to push some of the money into future years, giving them more seasons with Henry and essentially buying them time to get out of Smith's contract.

But if Henry isn't interested in working with the team toward an extension, it would still make sense to consider moving on.

OT Trent Brown

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 18: Punter Michael Palardy #17 and place kicker Nick Folk #6 of the New England Patriots fist bump after a successful field goal during the second half of a game against the Las Vega at Allegiant Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)

The Patriots have to be careful here. Left tackle is not a position to discard without a legitimate alternative, but it's hard to reconcile Trent Brown's play at the position with how much they could save by parting ways with him.

The 29-year-old is set to make $12.2 million next season. As far as left tackles go, it isn't an exorbitant cost, but they could move on from him and have just $1.3 million count against the cap.

Based on his play, it has to be a consideration. He ranked 44th out of all the tackles ranked by PFF, but he surrendered eight sacks and drew 13 penalties.

At that point, he's not an asset. He's a liability.

With Bill O'Brien returning to the franchise as offensive coordinator, the offense should see significant changes. If he feels he can help Brown improve his play in 2023, then they should move forward with the veteran.

If they feel like his issues were on him as a player, though, it could well be time to move on. Finding an alternative won't be easy, but the crop of free-agent tackles could include Orlando Brown Jr.

After him, it's a mixture of young players who have had their struggles such as Andre Dillard and Trey Pipkins and aging veterans like George Fant and Eric Fisher.

WR Kendrick Bourne

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 12: Kendrick Bourne #84 of the New England Patriots gets set against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 12, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

If the Patriots expect Mac Jones to take the next step in his progression, they have to upgrade his surrounding talent. Bringing back Jakobi Meyers would be a good move, but they can't afford for him to be the No. 1 receiver when Week 1 rolls around next year.

At the very least, New England needs to shake up the receiver room and that means letting go of those who have underperformed.

Kendrick Bourne definitely falls into that category. He had a productive 2021 season, but he had eight games this year when he saw two or fewer targets. He ended the campaign with just 434 yards on 35 receptions.

The 27-year-old is set to make $6.9 million next season, but only $1.4 million of it is guaranteed.

Much like the tackle market, the receiver market is fairly barren. But the Patriots aren't necessarily looking for a No. 1 receiver to replace Bourne, just someone they are more likely to play and involve in the offense.

The draft is a much more likely source to bring them a No. 1 receiver. However, a third or fourth option should be available on the market for the money they could save by cutting Bourne.