The real question to me is whether the cash thing is BB or the Krafts. I know BB wants to spread the money around to create a deep roster but I don't think he's against spending.
He's certainly not against spending money.
This article is from 2015 so obviously it doesn't show any contracts since then, but it shows the times when he's gone out and spent big bucks. Here's the list from the article:
2000: Roughly two weeks after hiring Bill Belichick, the Patriots sign safety Lawyer Milloy to a 7-year, $36 million contract that was
the largest in the NFL for a safety.
2003: The Patriots signed former
Bears linebacker Rosevelt Colvin to a most 7-year, $30 million contract in March of 2003. That was the third largest for a linebacker to the
Ravens' Ray Lewis' 7-year, $50 million deal signed in August 2002, and the
Falcons' Keith Brooking's 7-year, $41 million contract signed in February 2003. Soon after Colvin signed, linebackers Takeo Spikes, Zach Thomas, and Brian Urlacher all signed contracts for more money, but Colvin's was at the top of the market.
2007: Former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Adalius Thomas signs a 5-year, $35 million contract with the Patriots, snagging the largest cap hit in the league, and earning the title of "highest priced free agent in Patriots franchise history."
2008: New England Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss signs a 3-year, $27 million contract. The $9 million average per year (APY) is fourth most in the league, behind just the
Texans' Andre Johnson's $11.7 million APY, the
Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald's $10 million APY (this was a rookie contract), and the
Colts' Marvin Harrison's $9.6 million APY.
2010 March: Defensive tackle Vince Wilfork signs a 5-year, $40 million contract, making him the highest paid nose tackle in the NFL.
2010 September: Quarterback Tom Brady signs a 4-year, $72 million contract, making him the highest paid player in the NFL.
2011 August: Offensive guard Logan Mankins signs a 6-year, $51 million contract, making him the highest paid guard in the NFL.
2011 December: The Patriots sign linebacker Jerod Mayo to a 5-year, $48.5 million contract extension, behind just
49ers linebacker Patrick Willis' 5-year, $50 million contract for the highest paid in the league.
2012: Tight end Rob Gronkowski signs a 6-year, $53 million contract, making him the highest paid tight end in NFL history.
2014: Patriots sign cornerback Darrelle Revis to a 2-year, $32 million contract, the $16 million APY the richest value for a cornerback in the league.
2015 March: Safety Devin McCourty signs a 5-year, $47.5 million contract with a safety-record $28.5 million guaranteed. His $9.5 million APY is the second most for a safety, behind just the
Seahawks' Earl Thomas.
2015 July: The Patriots make Stephen Gostkowski the highest paid kicker in NFL history with a 4-year, $17.2 million contract.