This seems like it should be a bigger story, but it has been swept under the radar.
The Pats owed Hernandez about $5 million in bonus money. That money was supposed to be paid regardless if he killed someone or not (illegal activity did not preclude the payment). They have been hassling over that money for year, then randomly in a blurb with Antonio Brown who they also owe money to it is mentioned they settled with the Hernandez estate.
The New England Patriots have settled compensation grievances with Antonio Brown and Aaron Hernandez over the past week, which creates notable salary-cap space for the team, league sources told ESPN.
The Patriots had owed wide receiver Brown $9 million, and as part of the settlement he will instead receive $5 million, per sources.
In addition to that $4 million credit on the Patriots’ cap, the club received a $2.55 million credit after settling a long-running compensation grievance with the late Hernandez, per sources.
Even though a number hasn’t been given, it looks like they might have paid Hernandez’s estate which is his daughter about half of what he was owed.
Flip the page for video of the breakdown of money and salary cap implications.