Image courtesy of Jim Davis (The Boston Globe)/Getty Images
On Christmas Eve, here’s what I’m hoping the next few months look like for the Patriots as eyes turn to 2024 and arguably the biggest offseason in franchise history.
Hopefully Santa is a Patriots fan…
- Make the decision quickly, regardless of what it is
Whether you believe Bill Belichick should be the head coach next year or not, we can all agree the decision needs to be made quickly after the season. Like, within days of the end of the Jets game. The draft process begins immediately and considering New England will have its highest pick since the early 90’s, whoever’s making the decision of what to do with that pick needs to know they’re making it as soon as possible. I personally don’t see Belichick agreeing to give up power when he can get it elsewhere (Chargers, Commanders, maybe even some more say in GM decisions than anyone else has ever had with Dallas if Jerry gets desparate…). If he does, I don’t hate the idea of a Thomas DiMitroff or John Robinson coming back, but for those that want a complete separation from the ‘good old days’ that’s obviously not ideal. Whichever way this goes, hopefully RKK doesn’t try to drag things out for more draft compensation. Rip the band-aid off if it’s going to truly be the end of an era.
- If it’s a top three pick, trade it and go two-for-one
I know I’m in the minority here just based on how badly I’ve been ripped by fellow media members when coming up with this take. If the Pats have a top three pick – which it’s pretty clear they will at this point – I hope they trade it as part of a Belichick deal. If you can swap firsts and then get a team to throw in another first it might be the best route for them to go. There are so many holes on this team currently that you’ve got to stack as many picks as possible. Are Williams, Maye and Daniels probably franchise guys? Sure, but the ability to go get a tackle and receiver early automatically help whoever’s back there more than anything. Those guys aren’t sure things. While extremely talented and most likely future-altering players, there’s no guarantee. I believe if Bill is still here he’d be okay with bringing back Mac (still cheap for one more year) and Zappe (can really help himself these last three weeks). I acknowledge that if it’s a completely new operation (head coach and GM) then they pretty much have to take one of the QB’s as their first order of business after getting the jobs or they’d be eviscerated by the fan base. Still, I believe going two-for-one helps you get better faster than taking one of those guys does.
- Re-sign Hunter Henry, Ezekiel Elliott, Kendrick Bourne, Kyle Dugger & Mike Onwenu
You can’t pay everybody (well, you can if you really want to, but that won’t happen here even if they do go on a spending spree), so unfortunately, Josh Uche, Trent Brown, Jalen Mills and Afernee Jennings had to be left off the list in the second tier of soon-to-be free agents. Henry hasn’t had eye-popping numbers during his few years here, but he shows up every day and produces when targeted. He was voted a captain this year for a reason. Zeke has honestly been a massive surprise on and off the field. As a Cowboy his whole career, I mistakenly assumed he’d have that Cowboys stink on him when he arrived. I thought he’d tap out when things got ugly here and he’d be stand-offish with the media. He’s been the complete opposite in every possible way. Fantastic off the field and a pro’s pro on it. He’s still got gas left in the tank, bring him back. Bourne obviously had the rough season last year and suffered the unfortunate injury this year, but has shown how explosive he can be with the ball in his hands. He’s also a fantastic locker room guy that’s beloved. Onwenu is pretty obvious just given how good he’s been up front early in his career and we’ve all seen how much continuity matters with that unit. Dugger has quietly become one of the best safeties in the game and another leader – in his own way – on the team. People scoffed at the school he came out of when drafted, but he’s one of those classic BB specials that they’ve been able to develop a into fantastic player.
- Go get elite talent
Again, this is why deciding who the GM is quickly is going to be so important. The to-do list to get back into contention is long and the Patriots certainly won’t be the only team looking to add better players. It’s time to spend though, so this is more of a ‘are the Krafts willing to do so?’ thing than anything else. Mike Evans, Odell Beckham Jr., Curtis Samuel, Tyler Boyd and Bourne are the top free agent receivers available as of now, so, you might be better off targeting a Tee Higgins or another WR 1A-1B with a trade. If you don’t like the idea of Zappe and/or Jones still being here for a year, Baker Mayfield should be a top priority as your starter. He should probably be a top veteran target anyways. Defensively, Danielle Hunter, Jerome Baker, Za’Darius Smith Devin White and others are available at linebacker. I think you’re pretty much set on that side of the ball but do need help there and any of them would be a nice addition.
Merry Christmas Pats fans. Leave out pizza and beers tonight instead of milk and cookies, New England needs all the good karma it can get with Jolly Old Saint Nick heading into 2024.