The New England Patriots have settled settlement grievances with Antonio Brown and Aaron Hernandez over the past week, which develops significant salary-cap space for the group, league sources informed ESPN.
The Patriots had actually owed receiver Brown $9 million, and as part of the settlement, he will rather receive $5 million, per sources.
The settlement is notable, as some professionals saw the Patriots chances of recouping any money as low. The Patriots provided Brown a $9 million signing reward on Sept. 7, and half of it was to be paid on Sept. 23, three days after they cut him. The other half was to be paid in January.
In addition to that $4 million credit on the Patriots cap, the club received a $2.55 million credit after settling a long-running settlement complaint with the late Hernandez, per sources.
The salary-cap area is significant for the Patriots, who have been tight to the leagues limit.
Earlier today, prior to restructuring the contract of running back Rex Burkhead, the Patriots were down to less than $500,000 in area. The club now has $7.79 million in room under the wage cap.
Sources – Patriots settle compensation grievances with Antonio Brown, Aaron Hernandez – ESPN
