Miguel Benzan

Most of the questions I received today on Twitter after it was announced the Patriots released Benjamin Watson dealt with the cap consequences of the move. Watson's total dead money is $686,469. It consists of: $600,000 -- in signing bonus proration $85,294 -- one week salary. Watson practiced with the Patriots last week. $1,175 -- offseason workout bonus. Watson had attended five workout sessions.

Most of the questions I recently received on Twitter have been about the salary cap consequences for trading for a player. Background: When a team trades for a player, it becomes responsible for paying the player's remaining salary and remaining bonuses if there are any. The player's signing bonus proration remains with his old team. Any incentives are re-evaluated. A trade this week means becoming responsible for paying the acquired player's salary for 13 weeks.

Greg discussed the implications of Brown's release on the Patriots roster in this piece. I will cover its salary cap implications. Background: Using 2020 as an option year made Brown's 2019 cap number $5,750,000. It consisted of: -- $1,000,000 salary. His salary over a 17-week season was $1,062,500 or $62,500 per week. Brown was scheduled to be on the Patriots roster for sixteen games. $62,500 times 16 = $1,000,000.