The Patriots had a notable hole in the middle of their defense during Monday’s minicamp practice.
According to ESPN, longtime defensive tackle Lawrence Guy did not report due to what are believed to be contract-related reasons. Guy is entering his seventh season with the Patriots and 13th in the NFL. In 2021, Guy re-signed on a 4-year, $11.5 million contract packed with incentives.
He is set to earn $2 million this season in base salary and can make an extra $3.5 in incentives, per Over The Cap. Guy, 33, has no more guaranteed money left in his deal.
Over the past six seasons, he started 91 of 93 games and was voted to the franchise’s 2010s All-Decade Team. Guy was also elected a team captain and won the Ron Burton Community Service Award in 2021. Last season, he recorded 46 tackles, five QB hits and two sacks.
Asked if the team had any excused absences Monday, Pats coach Bill Belichick said the team was “working through a couple things.” Guy’s penalty for skipping mandatory minicamp practices would be a $16,459 fine for the first practice, $32,920 in fines for the second practice and a $49,374 blow for the third practice, per ESPN.
Starting offensive tackle Trent Brown was also absent Monday. According to MassLive, Brown’s scheduled flight from his native Texas back to the northeast was cancelled due to a hail storm. The 6-foot-8, 380-pounder also missed most of the team’s recent OTA practices and meetings.
It is unknown whether Brown or Guy will report for Tuesday’s practice.
