The Patriots converted $7.965 million of tight end Jonnu Smith’s base salary into a bonus, a move that created some much needed space against the cap.
Smith’s salary cap number for the 2022 season decreased to $8.38 million, which gives the Patriots an additional $5.31 million in room. Smith’s cap hit this year is the fifth highest on the team, behind only linebacker Matthew Judon, tight end Hunter Henry, wide receiver Nelson Agholor, right tackle Isaiah Wynn, and nose tackle Davon Godchaux.
As a result of the restructure, Smith’s cap numbers for 2023 and 2024, the final two years of his contract, each increased by $2.