With free agency opening on Monday with the negotiation window at noon, all eyes are on the Patriots. Who will they target and who will they sign? We talk about that plus other Patriots related news in this week’s journal.
Free agency unofficially kicks off tomorrow: Free agency does not officially start until the new league on Wednesday but we are going to start hearing about guys signing contracts with teams as early as today. By tomorrow evening, we should know who the Patriots have signed in free agency. With roughly $40 million in cap space, I would expect the Patriots to be active. Just not as active as last off season.
Bradbury move not a surprise: The Patriots cutting Garrett Bradbury is not a surprise. He was always a stop gap until Jared Wilson was ready to slide over to center. Bradbury gave the Patriots a lot more than we thought he might both on the field and in the locker room. He was a terrific leader and he was also great with the media, similar to his predecessor David Andrews. Wilson struggled at times at left guard but center is his more natural position and with his quickness and athleticism, he should excel there.
Left guard now becomes another need: With Wilson moving over to center, left guard becomes a need. It will be interesting to see how the Patriots handle their new found need. Could they keep it in house and start Ben Brown? Or, do they make a trade? Could they enter the free agent market and sign someone like Zion Johnson or Alijah Vera Tucker? All possibilities are on the table. One thing we know for certain. The Patriots will add another offensive lineman or two this off-season.
Patriots parting ways with Diggs inevitable: The Patriots are releasing Stefon Diggs after one season in New England. It was a productive season for Diggs who finished with 85 catches, 1,013 yards and 4 touchdowns. The problem is, Diggs faded down the stretch, he turns 33 this fall and he was scheduled to make up to $26 million dollars. The Patriots were never going to pay him that kind of money. Moving on the right thing to do. Diggs was terrific in one season here but you cannot get attached to players in their 30’s, especially at wide receiver. Very few fight off Father Time. Cutting him was the right move.
Big splash at wide receiver? Will the Patriots make a big move at wide receiver. Signing Alec Pierce or trading for A.J Brown are the two moves most Patriots fans are expecting but do not lose sight of Brian Thomas who could be made available by the Jaguars. Marvin Harrison Jr. is another potential trade candidate. Mike Evans and Christian Kirk are another pair of free agents to keep an eye on as well. The Patriots need a number one receiver who can match or exceed Diggs production.
Fair offers for Chaisson and Hawkins: If the Patriots are going to retain EDGE K’Lavon Chaisson or safety Jaylinn Hawkins, they need to do it before the negotiation window opens on Monday. If they do not get both under contract, they will have competition to retain both of them. Keeping both should be a priority, especially Hawkins who has emerged as a great scheme fit and a leader. Chaisson could have a robust market and will be tougher to keep.
McDuffie extension barometer for Gonzalez extension: The Rams signed recently acquired Trent McDuffie to a four year, $120 million dollar extension with $100 million guaranteed. McDuffie became the highest paid corner in the history of the game if the Patriots want to extend Christian Gonzalez this off-season, they are now looking at similar length and probably $124-$126 million with $105-$110 million guaranteed. Premium positions are never cheap. Gonzalez has proven he is worth it.
The Drake Factor: New England is once again a free agent destination and a big reason for that, especially for skill players is the presence of Drake Maye. Maye is a top ten quarterback and guys will want to play with him in the coming years. So when you hear names like Alec Pierce or Mike Evans linked to the Patriots, it is legitimate. The Patriots will be on top of their list because they have the most precious commodity in football. A star quarterback.
Did Tom Brady nix a Maxx Crosby trade to the Patriots? This was being floated around on Sunday and as much as I love Tom Brady as a fan, I believe it. He has an ax to grind with the Patriots and I am not sure why? It cannot be because of Bill Belichick. They have kissed and made up. It is either something to do with the Krafts or he is afraid that if you help the Patriots, Mike Vrabel is a good enough coach to get them over the hump and win a Super Bowl. Brady clearly does not want them to be good again. He now competes against them and he is an egomaniac as well.
Teams can pitch themselves to free agents: According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, teams can now communicate directly with the players before the opening of the negotiation window on Monday.
A subtle but significant change when the NFL’s free agent negotiating window opens Monday: For the first time, clubs may conduct one video or phone call (maximum 1 hour) with up to five free agents, rather than communicating strictly through their agents as in past years.
I think that benefits teams like the Patriots. Guys want to play for a guy like Mike Vrabel and if you get him in front of some of these free agents, he might swing their decision to New England and convince them to come here instead. Vrabel is a good salesman.