On a day when the Patriots learned they would likely be losing one veteran defensive tackle in Vince Wilfork, we have some good news on another: Tommy Kelly has restructured his contract and will therefore most likely be sticking around in 2014.
On his current deal, Kelly had up to a $2.5 million cap hit with a $50,000 roster bonus and $500,000 in per game roster bonuses.
Under the new pact, according to documents filed with the NFLPA, Kelly has a $955,000 base salary, $800k in roster bonuses, and a $100k signing bonus - good for a total of $1.85 million. He also has various playing time incentives that can earn Kelly his original $2.5 million.
In all, this move saves the Patriots a smidge over $850k in cap space. Not a huge number, but every bit helps.
Because so little is guaranteed to Kelly, the Patriots could cut ties with him at the end of camp with a miniscule hit. However, if Kelly plays anywhere close to the level he played in 2013 before his knee injury, he won't have any trouble making the team (and likely earning a starting role).