Patriots Releasing Special Teams Standout

The New England Patriots will create an additional $1 million in salary cap space by releasing veteran special teamer Chris Board, who played in 17 games for the Pats in 2023.

FOXBORO -- Despite entering the legal tampering phase of NFL free agency with over $80 million in available salary cap space, the New England Patriots are doing their due diligence to maximize their financial windfall.

The Patriots, per NFL Network, are expected to release veteran special teamer Chris Board in a salary cap saving measure. 

Board appeared in all 17 of the Patriots’ games last season, aligning on 407 special teams' snaps in the kicking game, tying teammate Brenden Schooler. Board was used on all third-phase five units and finished the year with 10 tackles. the 28-year-old saw only minimal time on defense, taking only one snap at the end of the Patriots' Week 16 victory over the Denver Broncos. 

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Perhaps best known by Patriots fans as the player to which Bill Belichick once referred as “the best special teams player we’ll play against,” Board has been a special teams standout since he began his pro career in 2018. The former Detroit Lion logged 1721 snaps within various coverage units. He is also a capable reserve linebacker, earning 115 tackles, 2.5 sacks and three forced fumbles in four years with the Baltimore Ravens and one with the Lions.

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While Board's release may not be shocking to most within Pats Nation, the delay of its official transaction is necessary. 

"Why not today? Because Chris Board has guaranteed salary," reported Patriots salary cap expert Miguel Benzan. "Since the books on the 2023 League Year have closed, the Patriots have to wait until the commencement of the 2024 League Year to release Chris Board. 

"Once it's official, they will have a net cap savings of $1.045 million, with a dead money hit of $937,500, and a possible 2025 credit of $440,000," Benzan added.

Meanwhile, the Patriots will continue their overhaul on special teams with new coordinator Jeremy Springer, yet without the services of longtime captain Matthew Slater, who announced his retirement last month. 

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