A New England Patriots helmet during the first half of the game between the New England Patriots and the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
By Alex Barth, 985TheSportsHub.com
Thursday morning nearly broke Patriots Twitter. Highlighted by an explosive report from ESPN’s Jeff Darlington, it was a mess of “who’s staying, who’s going” speculation that can all change drastically depending on what happens with the CBA.
In case you missed anything in the chaos, here’s what we learned about some of the Pats’ key free agents:
- Tom Brady and the Patriots negotiations aren’t looking good, although there’s still time for things to change.
- There’s mutual interest between the Patriots and Devin McCourty in a return to New England for the 32-year-old safety.
- Joe Thuney and Ted Karras are likely looking to get paid big on the open market, meaning the now-healthy Hjalte Froholdt could be a key part of the team’s offseason plans.
- Jamie Collins is more likely to return than Kyle Van Noy, but talks are slow with both linebackers.
- Multiple teams have expressed interest in wide receiver Phillip Dorsett, but the Patriots aren’t out of the picture just yet.
Of course, that all joins the news of the different prospects Patriots staffers have spent the week speaking to at the NFL Combine.
Things will only get wilder if and when the CBA is passed, but for now there appears to be some footing as to the Patriots initial plans for 2020.