NFL Free Agency opens on March 13th and the Patriots are expected to be active. At least according to new coach Jerod Mayo.

“We’re bringing in talent, 1,000 percent,” Mayo said on the head coach’s Monday radio hit on WEEI. “We have a lot of cap space and cash. We’re ready to burn some cash!”

The Patriots are expected to have north of $60 million in cap space, but that number could go up at the start of the new league year with several players expected to be cut most notably cornerback J.C. Jackson who could save the Patriots $13 million in cap space.

Quarterback, wide receiver, offensive line and tight end are all positions of need and the Patriots will use free agency to address some of those needs. We will have a separate piece on who is available and who the Patriots might sign.

In the past, former coach and general manager Bill Belichick has been criticized for not spending money in free agency, even after he spent over $100 million in contracts in the spring of 2021. Belichick did not spend indiscriminately which drew the ire of some fans. Belichick was notorious for cutting corners and very rarely did he spend money on impact players.

The Patriots now have a chance to reverse course and start spending some money. It will be interesting just how much they are willing to spend. I do not see Robert Kraft handing the front office blank checks either. 

This off-season will be an interesting case study for the Patriots moving forward.