3 Contracts the Patriots Can Easily Restructure to Create Cap Space

The New England Patriots put themselves in quite the bind this offseason. After placing the franchise tag on impending free agent and offensive guard Joe Thuney, they had very little cap space to work with. As a result, they lost quarterback Tom Brady, linebacker Kyle Van Noy, and defensive tackle Danny Shelton to the open market (in addition to trading others).

With just $708,000 in cap space as of this writing on Monday, New England desperately needs to restructure some contracts to give them money to spend on their upcoming draft class. Here are three deals that stand out.

3. RT Marcus Cannon

Marcus Cannon is an obvious candidate for a contract restructure. / Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Marcus Cannon knows this routine all too well. Just last season, the Patriots reached out to the starting right tackle to rework his deal to fit wide receiver Mohamed Sanu's contract onto the payroll. Well, the Pats front office will have to ask him for another favor. According to OvertheCap.com, the Patriots can convert $1.5 million into a roster bonus, and as a result, the team will free up a little over $4 million. That's an easy move to make.

2. OG Shaq Mason

Restructuring Shaq Mason's deal would give the Patriots much needed cap space. / Steven Ryan/Getty Images

Time for New England to ask another offensive lineman for a favor. Guard Shaq Mason is a standout for the Patriots and has an $8.7 million cap hit for 2020. We would say that linebacker Dont'a Hightower would be an obvious choice considering his cap charge, but a restructure would only free up $1 million. If the Patriots rework Mason's deal, they can gain over $4 million in space. That's a win for the Patriots and Mason, who will receive a bonus.

1. CB Stephon Gilmore

Wild Card Round - Tennessee Titans v New England Patriots / Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

The Patriots have done a contract restructure with stud cornerback Stephon Gilmore just last year, and they'll need to ask him to do it again. Carrying an $18.7 million cap hit for the 2020 season, New England needs to convert some of his base salary into a roster bonus. For example, they can turn $5 million into a bonus for Gilmore and in turn receive an automatic $5 million in cap space. It's an easy move to make.