Last offseason, then-Coach Jerod Mayo said his Patriots were looking to “burn some cash” as free agency crept closer. Mayo then backtracked on that comment over the course of free agency as the Patriots didn’t do much.
This year had to be different.
Now, with Mike Vrabel manning the ship, the Patriots needed to have a strong start to free agency and, to me, they did just that on day one.
The Patriots bolstered their defense with the signings of Milton Williams, Khyiris Tonga, Carlton Davis, Robert Spillane, and Harold Landry.
People don’t want to hear this, but the defense was just as bad as the offense last year, so this is all great. Also, I know everyone wants a left tackle and wide receiver. Trust me, I’m one of them.
But in addition to giving Drake Maye weapons and a blindside blocker, the best way to protect the young franchise quarterback is to make sure he doesn’t have to score 30-plus points per game.
Last year, the Patriots’ defense allowed 24 or more points 10 times – that’s asking a rookie quarterback to do a lot. If the Patriots can have closer games in which Maye isn’t expected to score on every possession, they’ll have better chances of winning.
Another point: New England doesn’t have Tom Brady or Bill Belichick anymore. It’s not an attractive destination like it once was. Until we get back on track, the Patriots will have to overpay players like Williams.
Speaking of, do I think Williams is worth a four-year, $100-plus million contract? No. But we had “cash to burn” and the defense desperately needed a game-changer.
New England also brought in some starting-caliber players such as Davis, Spillane, and Landry. Slowly, the Patriots are looking like a team filled with NFL players and not fringe players.
Offensively, it’s been reported that the Patriots were all in on Chris Godwin. Rumors suggest New England offered him $20 million more than what he resigned with the Bucs for.
I can’t fault the intent shown by Robert Kraft, Vrabel, and Eliot Wolf. They tried to bring Maye a top-tier receiver, but unfortunately, Godwin didn’t want to leave the Sunshine State.
With DK Metcalf, I would’ve liked the Patriots to execute the deal Pittsburgh did to bring him in, but there’s a chance he didn’t want to join the Pats – which is frustrating, but fine.
You should only want players who want to play in New England. If not, the Patriots would be stuck in mediocrity.The Patriots still need a left tackle and left guard – in addition to a wide receiver – but not everything will get done. That’s why fans need to hope New England hits on its draft picks this year.
I give the Patriots a solid B thus far. Talk soon.
