The Patriots and tight end Jonnu Smith agreed to a contract restructure this week that will create $5.3 million in cap space for the team.
The Patriots now have $8.9 million in cap space, the ninth most cap space in the NFL according to @patscap. The restructure does however add $2.65 million per season over the next two years to Smith’s contract.
My new Patriots salary cap space number after the Jonnu Smith restructure is $8,858,607 – a $5.31M increase.
— Patscap (@patscap) September 2, 2022
Jonnu Smith’s new cap numbers are:
2022 – $8,381,176 – $5.31M decrease
2023 – $17.405M (a $2.655M increase)
2024 – $18.405M (also a $2.655M increase).Once again, the Patriots chose not to add void years during a restructure (Wise and Andrews)
— Patscap (@patscap) September 2, 2022
The restructure gives the Patriots some flexibility to add to the roster this season if need be. It is also a sign that Belichick believes in this group enough that he is confident in investing in this year’s team.
By restructuring, Smith showed some good faith on his part and a willingness to work with the team. He knows he needs to be better this season. He has to produce to his contract.
Internally, the Patriots think that Smith is primed for a big season. They believe the offensive changes will benefit him. I have said all summer that the Patriots need to focus on using Smith in the passing game more. Enough with handing him the ball and running him on jet sweeps. They tried to get too cute with him last season. Use him as a match up piece in the passing game and that’s it!
Belichick recognizes that simply moving on from Smith is not an option now or in the near future. The team has to make it work with him. This is a make or break season for Smith. Either the Patriots get more production out of him or it is time to move on.