8. New England Patriots
Current cap space: $45,565,319
Primary free agents: QB Tom Brady, S Devin McCourty, OG Joe Thuney, LB Kyle Van Noy, OT Marshall Newhouse, WR Phillip Dorsett, LB Jamie Collins
Well, that is a weird name to see up top. The re-signing of Tom Brady, which has been relatively automatic since his first contract extension in 2002, comes into question now. Brady played the 2019 season benefiting from the best defense in his pro career, but he was stuck with the least-impressive receiving weapons he’s had since the Reche Caldwell era. Something has to change. New England’s offense gave the defense no margin for error, nor did it hide Brady’s own limitations at age 42. Brady may want to go to a team where he can throw the ball to top-level receivers; he doesn’t have time for a rebuild. Although, with most of that insanely good defense still under contract, perhaps it’s just a matter of signing a couple of free-agent receivers, re-thinking the offensive line without longtime coach Dante Scarnecchia (a major loss no matter how you look at it) and pointing Brady at the big play once again. Without him, Bill Belichick would face the biggest challenge of his coaching career. No matter what happens with Brady, the Patriots need better weapons. Losing him would complicate things in all kinds of ways.