FOXBOROUGH, Mass. One of the final, unforgettable images of the 2020 NFL season was Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes running for his life in Super Bowl LV behind a banged-up and revamped offensive line.
It was a reminder that even one of the NFL s greatest players can t do it without capable protection.
Of course, longtime New England Patriots followers need no reminders of this. Super Bowl XLII remains one of the most painful memories in franchise history, when the New York Giants overwhelmed them up front, made life miserable for quarterback Tom Brady, and crushed all hopes of a 19-0 season.
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With the recent news of the Patriots 2020 opt-outs agreeing to come back, I was curious will this have an effect on available spending money? I know the Patriots were well set on cap space and I was wondering if these contracts were already accounted for in relation to this year s cap or if our free agent funds just took a hit? Thanks!
Charlie Taylor
For the benefit of readers who might not have heard, Charlie is referring to this past weekend s media reports indicating that the eight Patriots players who opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 reasons are expected to return to action in 2021. The three most notable names on that list are linebacker Dont a Hightower, safety Patrick Chung, and right tackle Marcus Cannon. The other five are running back Brandon Bolden, fullback Danny Vitale, tight end Matt LaCosse, wide receiver Marqise Lee, and offensive lineman Najee Toran.
Examining How The New England Patriots Opt-Outs Factor Back In For 2021 forbes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from forbes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Patriots’ ‘key opt-outs’ Dont’a Hightower, Patrick Chung, and Marcus Cannon returning for 2021 season (report)
Updated Feb 26, 2021;
Posted Feb 26, 2021
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 29: Dont a Hightower #54 of the New England Patriots celebrates after Elandon Roberts #52 scored a touchdown during the game against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)Getty Images
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Some familiar faces are set to return to the Patriots locker room next fall.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Dont’a Hightower, Patrick Chung, and Marcus Cannon are all planning on playing next season after opting out of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Rapoport reports “physically, all are in a good place.”
MORSE: Pondering the NFL Quarterback Carousel and Morse’s Morsels
Mark Morse
Greg M. Cooper - USA TODAY Sports
NFL Teams are trying to get down to the new NFL Salary Cap floor of $180M. To do that they are unloading high-priced QBs for next to nothing. We have seen two big-name trades already in Jared Goff going to Detroit for Matthew Stafford. Detroit got a haul of draft picks for taking on a bad contract. This week The Eagles unloaded Carson Wentz for a 3
rd rd pick this year and a 2
nd next year that could become a 1
st depending upon playing time and a trip to the postseason.