Trey Flowers rumors: 5 best fits in NFL free agency

3. New England Patriots

Four seasons, two Super Bowls… why wouldn’t a team want to keep one of their key players during that stretch? Unfortunately, the Patriots are up against a wall with regards to their cap situation. According to Over the Cap, the Patriots are estimated to have nearly $16 million in cap space this offseason, which does not give them much flexibility with free agent signings.

With multiple players on the roster they would like to keep, like Flowers, the Patriots need to maneuver their financial restraints carefully. One possibility to keep Flowers in-house would be to franchise tag him, ensuring that he spends another season in New England which would give the two parties more time to work on a long-term extension.

However, there are mixed reports on whether the organization is planning on tagging their talented 26-year-old pass rusher. Without question Flowers fits the defensive scheme in New England, he has been in it the last four years. It makes a ton of sense for the Patriots to keep him, but their hands may be a little tied.

With defensive coordinator Brian Flores now in South Beach coaching the Dolphins, there may be some inclination to let the new defensive coordinator help in this decision-making process. Regardless, if Flowers is getting anywhere close to the range of $15-$17 million a year, the Patriots will be hard pressed to be able to afford a contract of that size.