Former star Patriots edge rusher released: is a reunion in store?
The Patriots have no problem bringing back former players for second or even third stints in New England. Just last year alone, the team acquired Trent Brown, Kyle Van Noy, and Jamie Collins just a few years after they’d all left Foxborough.
With free agency starting up again next week, the Patriots could have a few chances to set up more reunions in 2022. Players like Stephon Gilmore, Chandler Jones, Akeem Hicks, and others will all be available at positions of need for the Patriots. Yet Thursday saw another name added to the market that may be a better fit than all of them.
After a few weeks of speculation, the Detroit Lions finally released 28-year-old defensive end Trey Flowers Thursday afternoon. Flowers signed a five-year, $90 million deal with the Lions back in 2019, and the team saves $10 million against the cap by cutting him.
Before that, Flowers was a fourth-round draft pick by the Patriots in 2015 and played a starting role on two Super Bowl-winning defenses. He recorded 21 sacks and 25 tackles for a loss in 46 career games in New England.
Bringing back Flowers now would do more for the Patriots than just add a familiar face. He’d actually fill a big need along the defensive front. With the departure of Van Noy, the Patriots need an edge setter on the strong side of the line to play opposite Matthew Judon. Flowers excelled in that role his first time in New England, and likely could do so if put in the same system again.
If the Patriots do want to pursue Flowers, how much competition will they have? A number of teams should be interested, but Flowers’ inability to stay on the field the last two years (he played only seven games in both 2020 and 2021) will likely hurt his value.
That could end up helping the Patriots’ case, as they could offer him one year in a system he knows he can succeed in to re-up his value. At just 28-years-old, it’s not unrealistic to think he could get another big long-term deal in 2023 if he has a strong season this fall.
Because Flowers was released and isn’t coming off an expiring contract, he’s eligible to be signed immediately, and does not need to wait for the start of the new league year next week. However, it would make sense for both him and teams pursuing him to see how the market plays out next week before committing to a deal.
Click here for complete New England Patriots coverage at 985TheSportsHub.com.
Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at [email protected].
