Update: Brandon LeFell contract breakdown.
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| AP Photo |
The only guaranteed money in LeFell's deal is a $3 million signing bonus, which is split into $1 million increments for each year of the deal. It's a low number that should help the Patriots easily escape from the deal should they choose to after each year.
In 2014, LeFell has a cap charge of $2 million; $1 million in signing bonus, $800,000 in base salary and a roster bonus of up to $200,000 (split into $12,500 for each game on the 46 man game day roster). He'll undoubtedly make the team in 2014, as it will cost twice as much to cut him than to keep him this year.
In 2015, LeFell has a cap charge of $3.2 million. This comes from another $1 million in signing bonus, $1.8 million base salary and up to $400,000 in roster bonuses ($25,000 for each game on the active 46 man roster). If the Patriots choose to, they can release LeFell after his first year, saving $1.2 million in cap space while incurring a dead money charge of $2 million.
Finally, in 2016 LeFell's cap hit jumps up to $3.8 million. That comes from the last $1 million of his signing bonus, $2.4 million in base salary and up to another $400,000 in $25,000 per-game roster bonuses. Cutting him now will save $2.8 million in cap space.
Ultimately, it's a pretty fair, relatively inexpensive deal for a solid but unspectacular player. LeFell could earn every penny of it if he plays well, but the Pats can get out of the deal with almost little consequences after each year. In the meantime, they get some proven veteran insurance to mix in with their young guys for a low cost.
We're still waiting to hear the details on how Julian Edelman's contract breaks down year-to-year. Once we have the information to figure out his cap hit, we'll be posting an up-to-date breakdown of the Patriots cap situation, factoring in all of their recent activity. Stay tuned!
