Danny Amendola and the New England Patriots have been down this road before: The wide receiver's production and his salary become non-reflective of each other. Two times before – in 2015 and 2016 –, the player and the team have therefore agreed to a restructure of the original 5-year, $31 million deal Amendola signed in 2013.
Now, coming off a season in which he caught 33 passes for 333 yards and five touchdowns, the 31-year old is scheduled to hit the Patriots' salary cap with $7.79 million – the fourth-highest number on the team. It seems like a foregone conclusion that Amendola will have to take another pay cut this offseason to stay in New England.
And according to CSNNE's Mike Giardi, the veteran receiver is open to taking one:
Tried to tweet this earlier but it failed: Danny Amendola is receptive to having a salary reduction to remain in NE.
A reduction would free up additional salary cap space for the Patriots in a year when many core players are set to enter free agency. Furthermore, if Amendola and his representatives agree, it would allow the team to keep one of quarterback Tom Brady's most-trusted offensive weapons – one with a knack for the big play at the most opportune times – in the fold for at least another season.
Amendola, on the other hand, would stay in a familiar environment and with a team and supporting cast that maximizes his talents. While he has failed to establish himself as Wes Welker 2.0, he has carved out a distinct role on the team and has stepped up whenever his number was called; most recently in Super Bowl LI.
In short: Finding a way to make a restructure work seems to be in the best interest of both the Patriots and Danny Amendola. And it seems that at least one of the parties knows this.