The New England Patriots spent liberally in 2025 free agency and still have over $60 million in cap space, the most in the NFL. But they’ll need to be more conservative with their dollars in 2026 — which might put the pressure on a few key veterans in Foxboro.

With roughly $309 million in active cap spending, the Patriots are currently projected to be $13.8 million over the salary cap in 2026, according to the aptly-named OverTheCap.com. That spending spike is partially attributed to free-agent signings Milton Williams, Stefon Diggs and Carlton Davis, who account for three of New England’s four highest cap hits in 2026 at $29 million, $26.5 million and $20 million, respectively.

But offensive guard Mike Onwenu and safety Kyle Dugger are near the top of that list as well after signing contract extensions in 2024. And as Tom E. Curran explained on the latest Patriots Talk Podcast, both Onwenu and Dugger may need to step up on the field in 2025 to justify their salaries.

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“I would say, keep an eye on two players,” Curran said. “Mike Onwenu and Kyle Dugger have the highest cap numbers on the team this year at $21 million and $15 million (respectively). Next year, their cap numbers rise. Mike Onwenu’s cap number is going to be $25 million and Dugger’s will be $17 million. Meanwhile, Onwenu has a $16 million base (salary) next year. That’s a lot of dough.

“As (former Patriots offensive coordinator and current Boston College head coach) Bill O’Brien mentioned on draft night, Mike Onwenu is a really good player when he’s engaged. … If you are the highest-paid player on the team and you happen to be a guard, you better be the best freaking guard that anyone can find, and he just hasn’t been that.”

Onwenu was excellent earlier in his career, boasting a 79.3 overall grade on Pro Football Focus in 2022 that ranked fourth out of 140 offensive guards. His play has declined since then, however, from a 71.5 overall grade in 2023 (35th in the NFL) to a 65.2 grade in 2024 (51st in the NFL).

While Onwenu has missed just two games over five NFL seasons and has been a steady presence on New England’s unsettled offensive line, Mike Vrabel and Co. still might take a hard look at his contract situation in 2026 to decide if it’s worth having a guard as their third-highest-paid player by cap hit.

The same goes for Dugger, who had a down year in 2024 while playing through an ankle injury. Both Onwenu and Dugger have zero guaranteed money in their salaries for 2026, which could make it easier for the Patriots to move on from them next offseason if they can find lower-cost options at offensive guard and safety.

“The point is not about whether or not Mike Onwenu is going to be released before the (2025) season begins,” Curran said. “I would imagine that’s not the case. They want good players. He’s one of those. Same thing with Dugger. But they do need to perform this year.

“And again, that $60 million in cap space — it’s not all going to be $60 million at the end of the season, but you can roll a portion of it forward to help offset this money that they already have extended.

“So, it’s interesting to look at in terms of trades, in terms of what they’ll do in the future with their personnel, and in terms of when you look at these guys and their cap numbers, who really needs to perform to avoid a haircut.”

Also in this episode:

Belichick vs. Kraft on who took the bigger risk when Belichick was hired in 1999.

What will the Patriots do with their remaining cap space?

Five pressing questions for the Patriots entering training camp.