Zolak & Bertrand: Lack of buzz is the only buzz around the Patriots
The Patriots continue to miss out on free agent additions, after marquee players like Calvin Ridley and Tyron Smith have signed elsewhere. And while the Patriots have managed to retain their own free agents, Zolak, Bertrand and Joe Murray explain why their offseason, in which we were told they would “burn some cash”, has been a disaster thus far:
‘This offseason has been a dud’
Beetle: Level of excitement. There’s none, Zo. They haven’t done anything to excite anybody!
Joe Murray: How about in front of them in the draft? The Bears and and Washington, like two of the worst run organizations are making moves to improve. Even the teams that are after the Patriots are making moves.
Zolak: Would you rather have Mariota than Brissett?
Joe Murray: Yeah, absolutely.
Zolak: Would you rather have Ryan Tannehill than Brissett?
Joe Murray: Yes. I just think there’s zero buzz. The only buzz there is is when you go out. Like I was out this weekend. “Hey what the what are the Pats doing?” Nothing. But everybody’s talking about it. They’re relying on the draft, which is something that they historically over the last few years have sucked at. But yet they blame who? Bill.
Beetle: But even still but even still, if they’re going to have great draft picks, right, it’s not enough. It’s not enough. It’s not enough. This off season to this point has been a dud. Yes, they did the right thing and bringing back some of their guys, most notably Onwenu and Henry. But for the most part they’ve had a dud of an off season and people are not happy about it. And you shouldn’t be happy about it.
Zolak: I went to a neighborhood party on Saturday. My buddy lives two doors down. He’s been a season ticket holder forever. He’s not renewing.
Joe Murray: Yeah, I got my bill, right before free agency, and they’ve done nothing. Like, what do I want? Why do I want to go? I again, I’m working the games, but how do I sell the tickets? Who wants to buy the tickets at the actual cost that I’m offering?
Zolak: Oh, man. Just just the timing of everything. Like this free agency or lack of buzz in free agency, then the finishing of ‘The Dynasty’ and the remembering of what it was and sort of how it went and where we’re at now, I want them to be good. I’ve got to call the games. I want to call the games. I want to call winning games.
Beetle: Don’t mistake saying there’s a lack of buzz or lack of excitement with do something just for the sake of buzz or excitement.
Zolak: I don’t want to do that.
Beetle: They just didn’t make any real serious upgrades.
LISTEN: Zolak & Bertrand on the Patriots dud of an offseason
Patriots free agency tracker: The latest news & rumors out of New England
The New England Patriots have been throwing plenty of money around in free agency, and we’ve got you covered on it all here at the Patriots free agency tracker.
Most of the money the Pats have thrown around has been at their own players. Key pieces like Michael Onwenu, Kendrick Bourne, Hunter Henry, Josh Uche, and Anfernee Jennings have all agreed to new deals to stay in New England.
MORE: Patriots lose out on Calvin Ridley to darkhorse team
But the team has also filled needs at various other spots on the roster with outside additions. They added a veteran quarterback in Jacoby Brissett, a tight end in Austin Hooper, a tackle in Chukwuma Okorafor, and an off-ball linebacker in Sione Takitaki. Get a quick list of every signing.
Aug 19, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) throws during the second half against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
As we head into day 4 of the free agency period, the Patriots still have needs and enough cap space for a big signing or two. However, the market has thinned at their positions of need and they may also need to explore trade ideas.
We’ll have every piece of Patriots news & rumors for you as the open market rolls along. Read below for the latest in the live tracker…
Patriots add new wide receiver
The New England Patriots are bringing in a new wide receiver via free agency.
As first reported by the NFL Network’s
The #Patriots are adding again, this time signing former #Vikings WR K.J. Osborn, per me and @TomPelissero. pic.twitter.com/jrs3dezclW
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ian Rapoport, the Patriots are signing former Minnesota Vikings receiver K.J. Osborn. Osborn has played 50 of a possible 51 games over the past three seasons, averaging 54 catches, 627 yards, and five touchdowns per 17 games in that span.Read more on the Patriots’ newest signing.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – DECEMBER 24: K.J. Osborn #17 of the Minnesota Vikings catches a pass against the Detroit Lions during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
Showing interest in Tyler Boyd
According to Mark Daniels at MassLive, the Patriots are showing interest in veteran free-agent wide receiver Tyler Boyd.
Boyd, 29, has long been a steady presence at WR for the Bengals, including a 90-catch season in 2019. His production has dipped in recent years, as the Bengals added Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to the depth chart. He’d be a good, solid signing for the Patriots, just not the big difference-maker the team needs.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 23: Tyler Boyd #83 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs with the ball during the first quarter of a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on December 23, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
Patriots sign G Nick Leverett
The Patriots are signing former Bucs guard Nick Leverett to a one-year deal worth up to $3 million, according to Jeremy Fowler. Terms of the contract have yet to be reported. Leverett started 10 games for the Bucs in 2022, but played only three games with no offensive snaps in 2023.
TAMPA, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 02: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fist bumps Nick Leverett #60 prior to the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Raymond James Stadium on October 02, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Patriots Free-Agent Signings
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 17: New England Patriots helmets on the bench at Gillette Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Here’s a full list of the Patriots’ free agent signings and the basic numbers attached to them. This list will continue to be updated as the Pats make more signings…
Name Position Contract Hunter Henry TE 3 years, $27 million, $15.8M guaranteed Kendrick Bourne WR 3 years, $19.5 million, $5.5M guaranteed Michael Onwenu OL 3 years, $57 million, $36.5M guaranteed Jalen Reagor WR 1 year, $1.3 million, $442,500 guaranteed Sione Takitaki LB 2 years, $6.645 million, $2M guaranteed Chukwuma Okorafor OT 1 year, $4 million, $3.25M guaranteed Josh Uche LB 1 year, $3 million, $2.23M guaranteed Austin Hooper TE 1 year, $4.25 million Anfernee Jennings LB 3 years, $12 million Armon Watts DL 1 years, $3 million Nick Leverett OG TBD
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Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Check out all of Matt’s content.
