The New England Patriots found out that they’d be without starting right tackle Marcus Cannon in 2020, as he’s decided to opt-out of the season, via the Boston Herald’s Karen Guregian.
The NFL and NFLPA have agreed to allow players to sit out this season due to fears surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. If a player is considered “high-risk,” they will receive a $350,000 stipend and the year will count as an accrued season even though they didn’t play. If a player does not fall into that category, they’ll receive a $150,000 stipend and the year won’t count as an accrued season.
For Cannon, he likely falls in the “high-risk” category, as he battled cancer at the beginning of his NFL career. He’ll have one year remaining on his contract for the 2021 season if he decides to return.
The Patriots will have a pretty large hole to fill on the right side of their line. In the past when Cannon has dealt with injuries, the team has been able to find a competent replacement most of the time. In the most recent case, Week 2 of 2019, Cannon was being replaced by Marshall Newhouse. Newhouse, despite constant criticism at left tackle, was decent on the right side.
New England has a few options for this season.