FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- As the New England Patriots transition to planning for the 2018 season, some important financial decisions await them. Here are six players who are under contract to the team for 2018 but whose salary makes it possible the club will move in a different direction:
TE Dwayne Allen: The No. 2 option behind Rob Gronkowski, he is scheduled to earn a base salary of $4.5 million in 2018 and also has $500,000 in per-game active roster bonuses that could up his total compensation to $5 million. Given his limited production as a pass-catcher (10 catches, 86 yards, TD), the likable Allen could be challenged to return to the team at those financial terms.