The nfl is in full swing during the cost-cutting season. According to tom pelissero of nfl network, new england is letting go of defensive lineman lawrence guy and safety adrian phillips. Guy had one year remaining on his contract, and none of his $2 million base salary was guaranteed. As a result, the step on monday would save $3 million in cap savings and just $500k in dead cap charges. Phillips was also on an expiring deal with no money in the form of guaranteed income. His release would also save $3 million against the cap in 2024 while incurring $1.18 million in dead money.
Guy became the longest-tenured member of the franchise in the 2023 season after an exodus of other long-serving members of the organization in recent years. During the summer, talks on a rescheduling took place, but no agreement was reached. The 33-year-old had been a full-time starter in new england for the first six seasons, but his playing time fell to a patriots tenure low of 46 percent in 2023. He will now be looking for a new opportunity. Guy has been a constant contributor to the patriots’ defensive front throughout his 110 games with the team, allowing one to three sacks and 46 to 61 tackles from 2017-22.
His form took a step back this season, but on a short-term contract, the super bowl liii champion could find a decent job in free agency. Phillips signed a $12.75 million contract extension in 2022, and he has played every game in the last two seasons. However, after receiving eight starts in 2022, this number fell to just one this season. The 31-year-old’s 12 percent defensive snap was his lowest of his career, and it was a far cry from his previous workloads in his three patriots campaigns.
He has shifted to a special teams mainstay, which would help him maintain his financial stability on a new deal. In the offseason, the safety spot could see more expansion. Kyle dugger is a free agent pending, as is versatile defensive back jalen mills (who played over 100 games at each safety position last season). Jabrill peppers has one year remaining on his contract, so a long-term investment in the position can be made either in free agency or the draft this offseason. The patriots posted $66 million in cap space on monday, the fourth-highest figure in the league.
