Jon Wallach: Don’t panic – The New England Patriots will be fine
What did you expect?
The Patriots have been slow out of gate during the “Legal Tampering Period”. All they’ve really done is bring back some of their own key free agents and that makes for a less than spectacular story in a Post Bill world. I’m fine with it.
How did going nuts in free agency work out for you the last time?
No, I’ll take the slow, methodical rebuild and, what’s more, it’s more about culture this time. Hunter Henry stood in front of the media and threw himself on his sword week after week last season, and that’s a leadership guy I want here. Mike Onwenu is back and, although it’s not an explosive move, it shows that, 1-This franchise now values their own players for a change, and 2-The offensive line will remain stable, at least on the right side, for a few years. As Tom Cruise once said to Ed Harris at the end of the movie The Firm, “It’s not sexy, but it has teeth”.
Aug 25, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Josh Uche (55) tackles Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears (32) for a loss during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Then there’s the curious case of Josh Uche. He was apparently offered more money to leave, but chose to stay. That’s a first for a current player who didn’t win here. Could it be that Jerod Mayo and Eliot Wolf provide a calmer environment that players want to be around?
Fans of this team and other media members are screaming for the Patriots to do something. We had a guy call the show this morning and say that Wolf should trade a second or 3rd round draft pick for Justin Fields, draft Marvin Harrison Jr and sign Calvin Ridley. Boom, you’re a contender. Fine. You do that, and Fields flames out. Then what? You’re out the high draft pick that you need to help build a roster, and, 12 months from now, you’re right back where you started, without a quarterback. Even worse, now you’re also without the high first round selection next year that you need to get one. Say Fields hits. Then you have to pay him 45 or 50 million dollars a season over 4 or 5 years, and you don’t have the cap space you need to help you build a roster, or re-sign your current players. You may win 9 or 10 games a season, but you also probably won’t get back to the Super Bowl.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 24: Jacoby Brissett #12 of the Washington Commanders looks to pass during the second half against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 24, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Look at what Kansas City and Buffalo did and what San Francisco is doing. All 3 teams capitalized on a QB that they drafted and was making a rookie salary. They used that extra cap space to go get players to punch up the roster around him. That’s the model the Patriots should be following. Draft Maye or Daniels at 3, get some needed help on the offense line, edge or wide receiver and let all of these kids evolve.
Draft, Develop, Re-sign. Repeat. There are no quick fixes if you want this team to be good over a long period of time.
This method requires the one thing that every Patriots fan under the age of 30 doesn’t have, and that’s patience. Eliot Wolf seems to understand this, and, at the moment, it looks like the owner gets it as well.
I’m all for it, and watching this team do things the right way should be worth it, too.
The Patriots are reportedly looking to take advantage of another team's cap problem
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – SEPTEMBER 17: Mike Williams #81 of the Los Angeles Chargers watches as Keenan Allen #13 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates after Allen’s touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Both could be Chargers salary cap casualties before the new league year (Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images)
Wide receiver is one of the New England Patriots’ biggest needs this offseason, but this free agency class doesn’t quite rise to the level of the help they need. With top-tier players like Tee Higgins, Mike Evans, and Michael Pittman Jr. all re-signing with their previous teams, there’s not true coverage-dictated wideouts on the market.
However, free agency isn’t the only way to add veteran wide receiver help. According to a new report, there are other avenues the Patriots are exploring in addition to free agency.
READ MORE:
—Mike Onwenu re-ups with the Patriots on a long-term deal
—The Patriots will have a big presence at Bo Nix’s pro day
—Day 2 Free Agency Tracker
On Tuesday afternoon, Doug Kyed of The Boston Herald reported that “the Patriots have checked in with the Chargers on obvious trade/cut candidates during this week’s open negotiating period.” The Chargers are currently listed by OverTheCap.com as being $25.9 million over the cap, and need to be cap compliant by the start of the new league year which is Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET. Meanwhile the Patriots are still projected to be at $68.9 million in cap space, giving them the flexibility to take on some bigger contracts if needed.
The Chargers have a couple of wide receivers that they could unload to take a serious dent out of that salary cap number. There are also a couple of pass rushers on Los Angeles’ roster that also fit that description. Pass rusher is another need for the Patriots, although not as pressing as receiver.
In total, the Herald highlights four players who could be fits for the Patriots and help LA get some serious salary off the books. Here’s a look at each candidate, who could be available via trade or after a release…
WR Keenan Allen
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 16: Keenan Allen #13 of the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on October 16, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Entering his age 32 season, Allen is certainly on the older side for a wide receiver. Still, he continues to produce in tremendous volume. In 13 games in 2023 he caught 108 passes for 1,243 yards with seven touchdowns. He has missed 11 games total over the last two seasons, but played at least 10 in each. Yes, Allen’s play will likely take a step back at 32, but if it’s a minor regression he could still be a significant contributor.
If the Patriots did make a trade for Allen they wouldn’t be tied to him long. He’s entering the final year of his contract, which would cost his new team just over $23 million (while the Chargers take another $11.6 million dead cap hit).
WR Mike Williams
Sep 17, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams (81) runs after a reception against Tennessee Titans cornerback Tre Avery (23) during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Williams is slightly younger than Allen – he’ll turn 30 this October. However, he did miss most of the 2023 season after tearing his ACL in late September. He also missed time in 2022 due to a back injury. In his last fully healthy season in 2021 Williams, more of a true deep threat, caught 76 passes for 1,146 yards and nine touchdowns.
Like Allen, Williams is entering the final year of his contract if he’s acquired via trade. Any team trading for him would take on $20 million in salary (with the Chargers retaining $12.5 million).
OLB Khalil Mack
Oct 29, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack (52) rushes against Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (85) and offensive tackle Larry Borom (75) in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Last year, Mack had a career-high 17 sacks at 32 years old. However, it’s worth noting that six of those sacks came in one game – Week 4 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Still, 11 sacks in 16 games isn’t bad production, but age is once again a factor here. It’s been eight years since Mack’s NFL Defensive Player of the Year 2016 season.
Mack is entering the final year of his contract in 2024. His new team in a trade would owe him just over $23 million, while the Chargers are hit with $15.2 million in dead cap.
DE Joey Bosa
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 06: Joey Bosa #97 of the Los Angeles Chargers reacts during the second half against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on November 06, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
Bosa, who is entering his age 29 season, is one of the league’s top pass rushers when healthy. In his first six NFL seasons, he had 58 sacks in 79 games. He hasn’t been able to stay on the field the last two years though – a groin injury cost him most of his 2022 season, then last year he had 6.5 sacks in nine games before being shut down with a foot injury.
Unlike the other three players on this list, trading for Bosa would be a multi-year commitment for the Patriots. He’s due over $22 million this year, and then has a $17 million base salary in 2025. Given his age, Bosa also may be the most costly of these four players to trade for.
