Patriots Restructure Cornerback Contract, Create Salary Cap Space

The New England Patriots have restructured the contract of cornerback Marco Wilson, creating an additional $750,000 in available salary cap space.

FOXBORO — Despite being among the NFL’s leaders in available salary cap space, the New England Patriots remain committed to fielding a healthy financial bottom line. 

With the “second wave” of free agency beginning to form in the league’s roster-building ocean, the Pats have restructured the contract of cornerback Marco Wilson, per salary cap analyst Thomas P. Servo, via source. New England essentially decreased Wilson’s salary cap number from approximately $3.3 million to $2.6 million — creating an increase of $750,000 in available cap space.

“Wilson’s new contract will have a $200,000 workout bonus, $500, 000 in per-game roster bonuses, $416,000 in likely-to-be-earned incentives and $750,000 in not-likley-to-be-earned incentives,” Servo reported. 

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As a result of Wilson’s restructuring, the Patriots’ cap number now stands at $55.78 million per Patriots salary cap expert Miguel Benzan.

While Wilson’s new deal benefits the Pats’ finances, it also helps to lessen the likelihood that the 25-year-old would be released as a cap casualty at the conclusion of training camp. Per the terms of his previous contract, his 2024 salary of $3.36 million was non-guaranteed. Having added both incentives and guarantees, Wilson now will be paid in greater alignment to his projected performance, while lowering New England’s cap impact. 

Known primarily for his athleticism, Wilson was a fourth-round (No. 136 overall) by the Arizona Cardinals in 2021. During his time in Glendale, the Florida product started a combined 38 regular season and playoff games — compiling 159 total tackles, 18 passes-defensed, three forced fumbles and three interceptions. In Week 7 of the 2022 season, Wilson had a 38-yard interception return for a touchdown, along with three tackles and two pass-breakups, in a 42-34 win over the New Orleans Saints, earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week.

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However, in 2023, Wilson’s playing time began to diminish under new head coach Jonathan Gannon. As of Week 12, he had nearly fallen completely out of favor with the Cardinals’ coaching staff, leading to his eventual release in December. Before Wilson hot the open market, the Patriots claimed him and his remaining rookie deal, off waivers on Dec. 27. 

In addition to Wilson, the Pats currently have Christian Gonzalez, Alex Austin, Shaun Wade, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones and Isaiah Bolden under contract at the position heading into 2024. 

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