A recent report had the Patriots floating wide receiver Danny Amendola’s name to other teams as a trade possibility along with speculation that he could be released if he isn’t dealt.
If he is going to be released, the Patriots will be doing it on Tuesday. Ben Volin of the Boston Globe reports that the Patriots have until the end of Tuesday to make a decision about Amendola before $2 million of his $3 million base salary becomes guaranteed for the 2014 season.
Amendola has a cap charge of $4.575 million once the salary is guaranteed and designating him as a June 1 cut would spread the remaining cap hit over the next two seasons. Amendola didn’t have a productive 2013 season and missed time to both a groin injury and a concussion. This wasn’t Amendola’s first injury-plagued season and the Patriots, who would save a bit more than $1.3 million under the cap, may prefer to devote more resources to re-signing Julian Edelman and exploring other receiving options than banking on a rebound.
It would be a quick change of direction for the Patriots, but they’ve never been unwilling to move on if they feel there are better options available at a position.
UPDATE 5:15 p.m. ET: Volin’s report is slightly inaccurate. Of Amendola’s $3 million salary, $2 million becomes fully guaranteed as of 4:00 p.m. ET Tuesday. Here are the team’s options and financial consequences.