Report: WR Chris Hogan Signs With Patriots
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Patriots may well be getting their man in free agency.
Though the Patriots have been mostly quiet to start the free-agent period, they're now poised to make their first big move. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, restricted free-agent receiver Chris Hogan will sign a three-year offer sheet from the Patriots.
Per @AdamSchefter, Chris Hogan is signing 3-year, $12M offer sheet with NE this morning. $5.5M cap number in 2016.
— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) March 11, 2016
It may prove to be successful, because as Schefter noted, the front-loaded offer will make it very difficult for the Bills to match.
The front-loaded $5.5M number in Chris Hogan's offer sheet with Patriots is the challenge for Bills. Big number for team tight vs cap.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2016
Patriots preyed on the #Bills salary cap weakness in 2016. A $5.5 million 2016 cap hit would take up all their current remaining cap space.
— Joe Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) March 11, 2016
According to Spotrac, the Bills have the second-lowest amount of cap space in the NFL, so adding that $5.5 million hit in 2016 would be nearly impossible without releasing a player or two.
Nevertheless, the Bills have five days to match the Patriots offer, or else Hogan will become a Patriot.
Over the past two seasons, Hogan has averaged 39 receptions and 438 yards while catching four touchdowns in 2014 and two touchdowns last year. In the Bills' loss in New England in November, Hogan caught six passes for 95 yards.
UPDATE (3:09 p.m.): Chris Hogan is officially a member of the Patriots after the Bills declined to match New England's offer sheet for the wide receiver, according to Ian Rapoport.